We all know the job interview basics: arrive on time, dress professionally, and be prepared for the questions they might ask. These days, however, employers are judging you on other things that you might not even be aware of. Here are some important things to keep in mind when you’re interviewing for any job.

Your Facebook is Not So Secret

The information age has given us unprecedented access to, well, information. The Internet provides us with insane amounts of knowledge, which is generally considered a good thing. There is such a thing as too much information, however. Personal online presence has exploded with the rise of Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter, meaning that most people today have some sort of online identity that represents their real life identity. We post pictures and updates of our vacations, day-to-day activities, families, friends, parties—everything. Many people don’t realize that what they’re posting online is often not only visible to their selected friends; unless you’re really careful, it’s visible to pretty much anyone. If you posted pictures of that crazy night out with all those tequila body shots, keep in mind that your future employer might see them one day.

Say you only exchange private messages with people and adjust your settings so that only a few select people can see your pictures and info—you’re safe, right? Wrong. These days, some employers actually have the gall to ask for the Facebook passwords of potential hires. If you really want the job, you might end up handing it over, but keep this in mind: do you want to be working for a company that would be so disrespectful of your privacy? Sometimes you might not have a choice. Regardless, always remember that your online presence is anything but private.

Own the Room

Even if you’re the most qualified and talented applicant, you still should make a striking impression on the interviewer in order to really stand out. The human brain is a complex beast, and we’re influenced by the even the most subtle of stimuli. For example, say you’re 100% confident that your past experience, references, and education are more than enough to land you a job. If you walk into that room, however, and the interviewer is not impressed by your demeanor, your chances could be doomed.

So how can you make a good impression? Eye contact is absolutely essential, as it conveys confidence and shows that you’re fully engaged. A smile is another great way to show your enthusiasm, and serves to break the initial tension. Also, remember to stand up straight! This increases your physical presence and makes you appear more confident. If you walk in with a great resume and an impressive physical demeanor, you may have everything you need to land your dream job.

Your Time Off

Like so many in this economy, chances are you’ve been struggling to find a job for some time. You might not have considered that employers don’t just look at your employment history—they want to know what you’ve been doing with all your time off. If you’ve mostly been playing video games and eating Cheetos during your unemployment, find a way to spin it. You could talk about how you’ve had time to really reflect on who you want to be, spend quality time with your family, and set goals for yourself. Even better, though, is if you’re proactive during your unemployment phase. Get out there and do something! You could try volunteering, which shows depth of character. Maybe you could go back to school and take classes in your particular area of interest. You could even earn a degree to make yourself more hire-able; for example, if you’re in the business world, an online business degree may really give you a leg up.

David Price, a freelance writer from San Jose, is primarily focused on writing about career development and business growth. Some of the more recent posts David has written have been focused on online business degree programs and networking tips.

Feeling tired of the straight and narrow? Are you desperate to follow a slightly crooked path? There’s a whole batch of occupations out there which enable the criminally inclined to act in illegal ways within the law. Here are a few examples of eyebrow-raising jobs that career advisors frequently forget to mention.

Just Say Yes

credit: samantharachael

In March 2010, John Moores University (JMU) in Liverpool controversially began a research project into the effects of mephedrone, also known as “Miaow Miaow”, using two students as human guinea pigs. Anyone keen to not stay clean should search for similar opportunities. The JMU research project was abandoned in August 2010, but Pete Doherty continues to submit application forms.

Big and Burly? Apply Within

credit: J Mark Dodds

In rare cases, it’s actually legal for bailiffs to break into people’s homes and seize items to recover outstanding debts, but only if they have a magistrates’ warrant and are recovering debts owed to the Magistrates’ Court or HM Revenue & Customs. Not a job for the nice-natured or faint-hearted, possessing the demeanour of a Rottweiler will stand you in good stead.

OK To TWOC

credit: srqpix

Like taking people’s cars? Become a repo man. If a person has fallen behind with their payments a debt collector can legally take a car from a driveway, or even an unlocked garage, without the owner’s consent. Where on Earth do they learn to break into cars so easily? Is there a special school in Dagenham?

And Not a Parrot in Sight

Max Hardberger. Sourced from the Wikimedia Commons

The scourge of pirates throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, Max Hardberger is a ‘vessel repossession specialist’, which means he steals stolen ships back from pirates and returns them to safe waters. A controversial figure, Hardberger makes $100,000 a ship, so light-fingered seafarers may wish to follow in his wake.

Steal Yourself a New Job

credit: Kojach

Is your past more chequered than a chess board? Fear not, a lucrative career as a security consultant could soon open up before you like an unlocked window. For example, take former burglar Bob Portenier, who took from quite a few people, but now shares the secrets of burglars, so that security can be enhanced in homes and businesses.

Be Someone, Become Someone Else

Frank Abagnale. Sourced from the Wikimedia Commons

While identity theft is generally frowned upon, pretending to be someone else can be a fun way to make a living. Las Vegas is stuffed full with Elvis impersonators mimicking the King of Rock and Hot Dog Rolls, who left the building in 1977. Alternatively, you could follow in the footsteps of infamous impostor Frank Abagnale, immortalised in Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can, and swap identity theft for lecturing on crime at the FBI academy.

Hacking for the Man

credit: ikrichter

The perfect job for anyone who grew up watching WarGames, being a “white hat” ethical hacker entails testing computer security systems by attempting various ways to infiltrate the network. The work of the ethical hacker is vital to organisations that need absolute internet security. Not to be confused with the hacking exploits of China or the former staff of the News of the World.

There we have it: career options to build up an alternative CV, without building up a criminal record, brought to you by recruitment agencies directory, AgencyCentral.co.uk.

If you don’t fancy life as an office-based slave to a computer, and you want to have some adventures without breaking the bank, then jobs that include an element of travel are a fantastic idea. No matter what your skills and experience there’s a whole range of roles out there to suit all sorts, offering the chance to work in all kind of destinations from St Tropez to the Seychelles. Check out the jobs below and see if any of them might suit you.

Air hostess

The job of an air hostess has long been considered a traditional way to get out and see the world. From the old days of PanAm when it was one of the most coveted and hard to obtain positions, to the kind of roles you can get today which range from hosting on a value flight carrying package holidaymakers to being a hostess on a private plane owned a sheikh, the only limit to the number of destinations you can visit as an air hostess is where your airline flies to! If you fancy a job like this then be prepared to work some long and unusual hours, cultivate a perma-smile in the face of even the most drunken passenger and make sure there’s plenty of room in your passport!

Cruise ship worker

Although some cruise companies have recently not had the best reputation for the way they treat their workers, if you choose both the company and the job carefully then this can be a fantastic way to see the world. There’s such a wide range of roles available on a cruise ship – from working in the restaurant to singing in the bar – that most people can find something to do on these huge floating hotels. With this option you’re looking at destinations like Alaska and the Caribbean, which makes working on a cruise ship one of the best ways to see parts of the world you might not otherwise reach.

International courier

If you prefer the kinds of jobs that are not so customer facing but still have all the travel opportunities then an international courier is ideal. Couriers are usually given a specific pick up and drop off time and required to take an item from A to B, with payment usually in the form of a free air ticket. International couriers deliver parcels and letters all over the world so one week you could find yourself in Italy, the next North America.  As an international courier you would usually be restricted to hand luggage only, so you need to be able to travel light, and expect your first few jobs to be shorter, less exotic flights, until you have built up some trust with the agency or person employing you.

A holiday rep

The job of a holiday rep is very varied and the kinds of destinations on offer in the role are essentially anywhere in the world that people go on holiday. Package holiday reps in countries like Ibiza and Mallorca rave about the opportunities for partying and tend to get moved around very regularly within Europe. However, rep jobs come in all shapes and sizes, not just the more traditional package reps. How about working as a campsite rep in the South of France? Or maybe you’d prefer to work for a safari company in deepest Africa? Or perhaps you’re more suited to the high end of the market where you have just a couple of holidaymakers to look after and you’re organising dinners on private islands or exclusive spa services.

Personal assistant

Doesn’t sound so glamorous? Well did you know that PA’s to Chief Executives at top firms are not just very well paid but also often get the opportunity to travel the world business class? Of course getting to the top won’t happen overnight but young, ambitious personal assistants can progress very quickly through the corporate ranks as their performance is linked closely to that of the companies top exec’s.

These are just a few of the jobs out there that offer the kinds of genuine travel opportunities you rarely come across in an office based role. The best way to find a job that suits you is to start by listing your skills, the different parts of the world you want to visit, the kinds of opportunities in those destinations (i.e. holiday travel, hospitality, delivery services etc) and then compare what you can offer to the experience and qualifications those roles need (if any). After that you just need to pack your case and hit the road – bon voyage!

John is a UK based blogger specializing in travel and business writing.

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We all know the age old cliché of ‘nothing personal; it’s just business.’  And while it can often be incredibly disillusioning and disappointing to be told this, whether we like it or not, it is the unavoidable reality of many professional relationships.  So if you want to succeed in the professional world, it is best to always keep this axiom in mind when making important decisions about your career––especially when they involve leaving your job.

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People decide to quit their jobs for many reasons.  Perhaps you hate your boss and are unhappy with the working environment.  Maybe you have been offered a better position elsewhere.  Or maybe it just seems like the perfect time to finally take that extended trip you have been fantasizing about for years.  Whatever the reason––personal or otherwise––it is always best to handle the situation in the most dispassionate and businesslike manner possible, no matter how disgruntled or upset you may be.  You never know what might happen in the future, and it is important not to destroy opportunities that you may some day unexpectedly need.

This means taking measures to ensure that the company you leave is not negatively impacted by your departure.   Here’s how:

Give Plenty of Notice

Depending on your particular position, the amount of advance warning you will need to give will vary.  But consider how long it will likely take to find and train a replacement, and you should have a fairly good idea.  On the other hand, it is always possible that your boss will tell you to just pack up your office by the end of the day, so be sure to also take into account your standing at the company.  The minimum is 2 weeks, but for most high-level positions, it is best to give several months notice.

Tie Up Loose Ends

While the repercussions of leaving unfinished projects may not seem to be your problem, they will undoubtedly become problems for the company you leave.  So if you want to depart on a positive note and keep doors open for the future, be sure to attend to all of your responsibilities before taking off.  Even if this involves extra work and hassle, it will be well worth the effort for maintaining your reputation as a responsible employee.

Be Available to Train Your Replacement

Make the transition as smooth and painless as possible for your coworkers and bosses.  Teach your replacement what they will need to know, and be sure that they are adequately prepared to fill your shoes.

As much as you may want to tell your reviled employer where he can go and what sorts of unpleasant things he should eat as you head for the door on your last day, DON’T.  You never know what connections he may have nor what firms he might some day work for.  It pays to avoid making enemies and to always maintain a respectable reputation in your field.  So be considerate when you leave your next job.  You will be making a valuable investment for your future.

Leaving your job can be tough for a number of reasons.

Thanks to Legalweekjobs for sending us these tips.

Some people seem to be born for the spotlight with attention following them around regardless of what company they work for. For others however, it seems like no matter how hard they work, they remain in the shadows, completely invisible to upper management. And as you are likely aware, invisible people rarely get promoted.

Unfortunately, it does not matter how hard you work, if said efforts are going unnoticed in the eyes of the people that matter. It’s therefore essential to both raise your profile and to get your name out there. Here are ten tips that should help you to do just that.

Dress Sharp

Although, fancy clothes alone is going to do very little for you, people rarely notice the guy that looks like a mess all the time. Many people that work in a casual work environment seem to get it into their heads that this rule doesn’t apply to them but that is simply not the case. Regardless of what the dress code is, it’s important to look your best. You should smell good and your clothes should be ironed.

Speak Up in Meetings

Meetings are an excellent time to get noticed. If you have difficulty speaking up, it’s important that you try to get past it. You don’t need to be an extrovert, you simply need to make contributions even if they are small to begin with. Many people think that provided they don’t say anything, they can’t say anything wrong but this is a terrible attitude to have. When you keep silent during meetings, you can easily come across as being clueless about the topic being discussed, or worse, like you don’t care enough to contribute

Volunteer for High Profile Projects

You’re hand should be the first one that goes up when an important project comes up. It’s important to be aware that those that get noticed aren’t always the hardest workers. Some projects are simply more high profile than others and getting involved in such projects is one of the easiest and fastest ways of making your presence known in a company.

Pay Attention to Your Body Language

If you want to get noticed by those that matter, you need to keep an eye on the signals that you are giving out about yourself. Do you walk with confidence? Are you assertive? Unfortunately, if you walk around the office with your shoulders slumped and you have a habit of avoiding eye contact with people, you are giving out very poor signals. While you might think that nobody is noticing, subconsciously they are.

Don’t Keep Your Ideas to Yourself

When you have a good idea about something, you should share it. If somebody else is working on something, don’t be afraid to offer advice. Provided you do so with tact and without acting superior, most people will respond to your help positively. And while such ideas may not lead to you getting any immediate credit, over time you will build a reputation as somebody that is both helpful and on the ball.

Network More

Most people are aware of the importance of networking when it comes to landing a new job, many people fail to realize however that the same thing applies to getting noticed in a company. You should aim to know people throughout the building, not just those in your department and certainly not just those to your immediate left and right. Simply being a more social person can help you to make more contacts in your own department but when it comes to people in other departments, you need to be more proactive. Join social groups, get involved in team sports, volunteer for hosting events.

Contribute Wherever Possible

Some people like to talk about the importance of looking busy but when it comes to getting noticed, it’s contributions that matter, not how busy you look. When you know the agenda of a meeting, you should research the topic before hand and ask sensible questions. When you’re co workers are discussing something, give your opinion. When your boss says something, don’t be afraid to disagree. You need to make your presence known.

Know About Your Company and It’s Industry

Regardless of whether or not such knowledge is required for you to do your job, you should know all about the industry in which your company operates. You should be aware of any major innovations and you should know how it has been affected by the recession. You should understand where your company fit’s into that industry and who it’s major competitors are.

Too many people assume that all they need to know about is how to do their job. While such knowledge might be all that’s required to perform your daily tasks, getting noticed requires that you take an interest in the company as a whole.

Take Credit for What You Do

When you do something right, make sure that you take credit for it. Don’t ever assume that anybody else is going to throw credit your way. If you contribute something to a project, make sure that your name is written on that contribution. The same applies to every report that you write. Many people make the mistake of thinking that everyone knows who did what but this is actually rarely the case. The further up a report goes, the less likely it is that anybody is going to have a clue who wrote it unless there is, literally, a name attached.

Be a Team Player

Finally, don’t confuse trying to get noticed with acting like a lone wolf. Being a team player is an incredibly attractive characteristic and you should do your best to demonstrate said characteristic whenever possible. When you are taking on a project, don’t be afraid to get other people involved. Doing so not only increases your profile, it also demonstrates that you care about the company and not just yourself.

The author of this post, Nik Lemmens, is a career counsellor who has been giving tips to business and education job seekers for years. He owns a website click here, where you can get all the necessary information that can help build your career.

According to figures published by the ONS (Office for National Statistics) the three months to May saw an overall fall in those out of work by 65,000.  A fall is good but it still leaves a staggering 2.58 million out of work.  Despite this drop the number of those in long term unemployment rose by 18,000 and, according to the Work and Pensions Secretary, half of those currently without employment have been out of work for over six months.  Seasonal changes may account for some of the rises although the overall trend seems to be a slow and steady return to work.  However, for those out of work for a long period, the competition for jobs is fierce and, whether true or not, there is a perception that employers prefer to take on staff who have been out of work for only a short period.  So how do you improve your chances of finding work?

Olympic Tasks

The obvious answer may be to apply to become a security guard at the Olympics; however, these jobs are short term and won’t keep you off the unemployed statistics for long.  The first thing to consider is an overhaul to your resume.  If you’ve been unemployed for over six months, and have not updated your resume, then there’s a big gap in it developing.  Do whatever you can to fill this gap; obviously it is important to be honest but if you have done any voluntary work, helped out an elderly relative or have done anything else that shows you’ve been making use of the time in a constructive way it’s worth adding to the resume.

Black Holes

If a gap has developed don’t allow it to get any bigger.  Speak to your local job centre about any training or voluntary opportunities that may be available in your area.  Voluntary work can be a really good way to fill up a developing black hole in your work history; it can also help to remain active and develop and additional new skills which may open more doors on the employment front.

Promotional Matters

If you have worked in an industry for several years look into the possibility of taking training in your normal area of work to develop your skills.  A good example would be a SMTS (site management) course for those who have construction site experience.  Although the construction industry has been hit hard in the recession a number of major projects and incentives are being put in place by the government to encourage growth in this sector.  Taking site management training can open up a range of opportunities and not only help you back into work but even result in a promotion.

Competitive Chances

For those who have limited work experience – those leaving school or university – taking training can also be a great idea.  The problem that you’ll face when searching for jobs is that a school or college qualification is one thing, while experience is another matter.  Many employers will be keen for those with experience which means that they don’t have to provide training for new starters.  To beat off some of the competition, consider an industry relevant vocational course – childcare, catering, business administration and health and safety qualifications will all help to increase your employability in the eyes of potential employers in the relevant industries.

Confidence Tricks

Although it seems to be taking some time, there are some signs that the employment market is expanding.  For those who have been out of work for long periods it’s important to ensure that you can fill in any gaps on your resume and emphasise to potential employers that you have used the time constructively; whether it’s further training or voluntary work.  It can be very hard to remain positive and retain your self-esteem if you have been unemployed for a long period and by taking the time to fill in gaps in your resume with any additional training or voluntary work you will not only improve your prospects but also your confidence in yourself.

This article was written by SMSTS course. For the long term unemployed, staying on top of training in your own industry (such as a SMSTS course for construction workers) can help to improve your prospects, your resume and your confidence.

If you are like me you will want to make the most of possible training opportunities. You can find that there are plenty of employers out there who are willing to give you training if you ask for it. I have managed to become a supervisor on my site thanks to extensive training and a good few years of experience behind me.  If you are heading out in the construction industry for the first time I can’t recommend getting some kind of qualifications under your belt.  This will increase the chances of being employed, but even more importantly it will help to make you aware of legislations and regulations that not all employers will make you aware of.

Many Employers Ignore the Health and Safety Laws

It might be shocking to hear but there are plenty of construction firms who are putting the lives of their employees at risks, knowingly or unknowingly.  There is no excuse not to know the laws surrounding site safety but many employers either choose to ignore those laws, or they simply don’t realise how important it is, until something happens.

If you spend some time looking at the number of accidents which happen in this industry you may be slightly concerned. Deaths from falls from height are surprisingly high, despite all the attention it gets in the press. The Health and Safety Executive have guidelines that are easy to follow, and consultants are able to help any firm sort out their policies and procedures, but even with the help available you are still at risk from complacent employees.

Put Yourself through Health and Safety Training

Therefore I recommend all people entering the construction industry take at least one health and safety course. There are plenty to get started with, and they are surprisingly affordable. There are some brilliant courses which will give you an ID card that you can use to persuade employers to give you the job as they know you have already received a certain level of skills which will benefit them as employers.  If you know about managing your own safety at least you may not contribute to increasing the risks.

One of the best places to start is by training and sitting a test for CSCS cards.  These are available for construction workers at all levels, and can be found easily by looking online. The basic card is designed for first time construction workers with little to no knowledge about site safety.  This is called the Green card which shows you have the basic skills. You will need to have completed an NVQ level one to take the test however.  There are other cards too which are suited to the qualifications and the skills you may hold. There is even a card which is ideal for anyone who isn’t able to meet the other categories of cards, which will basically consist of a health and safety test.

Finding a Good Employer

There are plenty of employers out there who do respect the laws and will take your safety extremely seriously. Although you may feel they are being strict and harsh their commitment to site safety means you are in good hands. By training their staff and working to constantly reduce the risks faced everyday by construction workers those employers are helping to reduce the numbers of accidents and deaths within their organisation.

If you find a good employer you will probably be given a lot of opportunities to learn new skills and enhance your career.  If you are given the opportunity to learn more about safety in the construction industry I highly recommend you jump at the chance.

This article was written by CSCS cards. There are a number of CSCS cards which can be used to help you gain employment, and teach you basic health and safety skills.

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Or so they say.

I suppose it depends on specific circumstances, and when it comes to working and living in another country, the grass could definitely be greener. If you think about it, someone living in a developing country on minimum wage cannot be blamed for thinking that life in a developed country would be so much better. American dream and all.

Of course, there are so many factors to consider. The disadvantages may outweigh the benefits, but at the end of the day, there are countries which offer so much more than others.

If you are thinking of making a big move – literally – this year, I suggest that you take a close look at this infographic created by Infographics Lab. Titled “Top 10 Best Countries to Live & Work In – 2012”, the infographic has taken into account the results of a survey conducted among expats. Thus, the information presented is actually the collective perception of people who are actually working and living in countries other than their own.

Which countries made it to the list? Here they are.

1. Singapore. This country dash city ranks best in the high quality of healthcare. Not only that, it also at the top because of access to healthcare. That’s something not a lot of countries can attest to!
2. Hong Kong. If you’ve got children, then Hong Kong ought to be on your list. Its the best in childcare and child safety. Oh, and its number one in commuting as well.
3. UAE. This country is for those who are into cars and high quality accommodations. I am not too sure about the status of women, though.
4. Mexico. Sun. Lots of sun. Need I say more?
5. Australia. Think about social integration and work culture. The Land Down Under is best when it comes to these points.
6. USA. You can say all you want about this country, but it still has a lot to offer it seems. I totally believe that it is number one in entertainment!
7. France. Healthy food, health care, and raising children. If these are your priorities, France it should be. I am just thinking of all the wine!
8. China. Parents who believe their children shouldn’t be watching too much TV should consider China.
9. The Netherlands. Work/life balance in this country tops everything else. I think that is more than enough reason to move.
10. United Kingdom. This country ranks highly in welcoming work environments and for using/learning local language.

The positive things being outlined, you also need to take a look at the cost of living in the mentioned countries. Singapore is very high up that list, while the Netherlands is rather low. Check out the whole infographic to help you decide better.

Mercedes is a travel blogger who has an English Studies background. She is one of the newest writers for infographicslab.com.

Too many university students struggle in their first year because they are left unprepared by their schools and sixth forms to face the style of university learning. Supported continuously by teachers though GCSEs and A-Levels, the complete independence of university academics often confuses students and leads to unnecessary problems in their first year.

So what exactly is the difference between pre-university and university learning, and why is it confounding students?

Pre-university examinations

Many argue that the style of A-Level and GCSE examinations is at fault, with teachers training students not to learn their subjects but pass their exams.  A common criticisms of pre-university examinations such as GCSEs and A-Levels are not only that they are being ‘dumbed-down’ year on year, but that the actually style of questioning is not ‘learning’ but ‘drilling’.

This means that students often don’t completely understand the concepts in their subject that they must explore in depth at university level, giving them a poor foundation for further study. Learning by rote has become the norm, with students often get by simply by learning quotations and regurgitating points they learned from SparkNotes. Although such superficial learning may get students past A-Levels, when it comes to university they often get a rude awakening.

Yet an important point to make is that their ill-preparedness is often not their own fault. For all the criticisms of how A-Level examinations work, students who want to achieve top grades must still work incredibly hard. The problem however is the type of work that A-Levels encourage them to do is completely at odds with the type of work that universities do.

Lectures

While group work, interactive learning and other ‘new’ classroom styles of learning are desperately in fashion in schools and sixth-forms, students are often left unprepared for traditional lecture learning. The ability to concentrate for one or two hours and simply make notes from a speaker is often lost on students who are coached through the academic careers that group work is the way to learn. Many lectures have called for teachers to incorporate more lecture-style classes into their classes, but the pleas often fall on deaf ears.

Reading

Lectures are often just brief outlines of topics that students must learn, and only scratch at the surface of all the information students must understand for their exams. The real learning at university is independent and usually comes in the form of assigned reading. Very few A-Levels involve even a fraction of the reading that a first-year humanities or social science students must undertake, leaving most students overwhelmed and lacking basic skills like scanning of texts. Students often must read multiple chapters or even entire books of difficult academic texts for seminars and tutorials, but A Levels simply do not prepare them for that level of learning.

Lack of school-led university preparation

In the US it is not uncommon for schools to hold their own classes on not only on how to apply to university but also how to succeed once you are there. Partnerships between schools and universities have led to a massive rise in high school students taking courses at local colleges, helping them earn credits for their first year in university but also giving them a taste of what exactly university demands. Such schemes do exist in the UK, but are not common enough.

Taking note from independent schools

Independent of the national curriculum and often ditching A-Levels for broader examinations such as the International Baccalaureate, independent schools often better prepare students for the rigours of university. Although it is easy to write off their achieves as being due to the fact they have larger budgets, it is not just the amount of privately educated students that get into higher education but the quality. Surveys show that in the first 3 months, students from private schools adjust easier to the hard work of university due to the fact that they are often better prepared for what universities expect by their schools.

So what’s the answer?

Schools and sixth forms are not adequately preparing all students for university, instead being forced to push hard at exam performance due to government targets at the expense of overall education. By simply utilizing lecture-style learning, encouraging more independent reading and setting up more university-preparation classes – schools can help not only get young people to university but help them flourish once they get there.

This is a guest post from contributing author Charlie Oszvald. Charlie is writing for Bales College, a private secondary school in London which offers A-level and GCSE Courses.

Whether you’re looking for catering positions or account executive jobs, job hunting can be hard. And the hardest thing of all is staying motivated to keep job hunting when you haven’t heard back from the recruiter or, worse still, have just received a rejection letter.

For any job seeker the biggest battle you face is the internal battle you fight with yourself: whilst you’re telling yourself you’re not good enough and you’re never going to get a job you still have to put on a brave face and keep sending out those perfectly targeted CVs.

So how do you stay motivated when you’re job hunting? Well we have some tips:

1. Get into a routine

Many unmotivated job seekers find they apply for roles as and when they feel like it, sleep until late, and find any excuse to leave their computers and sit and watch daytime TV instead of visiting recruitment websites. If you’re this kind of jobseeker, you’re only setting yourself up for more failure.

Instead you need to treat job hunting like it’s a job, and your new 9-5 role is getting yourself employed! Set an alarm and get out of bed bright and early. Have a shower and get dressed: nothing was ever achieved by someone still sitting in their pyjamas at lunchtime! Write a motivational checklist of things you want to do each day, such as apply for five new roles or review your CV. Avoid checking Facebook constantly: nothing will have changed in the 30 minutes since you last checked it! Finally, pick up the phone. Proactively calling recruiters lets them know you’re keen and eager to find a new role.

2. Don’t let job hunting change your personality

Your friends, family, and everyone who loves you will understand that job hunting is a difficult time, and you’re not going to be the best version of you right now. But don’t use this as an excuse to take out your anger and frustrations on the people closest to you. Try to remember that your unemployment will be just as tough on those who love you as it is on you. It is painful for your parents to watch you struggle. Your partner might worry about how you’re going to pay the bills.

Don’t forget that just because you’re not working doesn’t mean you can’t still contribute something to your home. Spend your down time doing some chores around the house: this will be especially appreciated if you still live at home with your parents. Also remember to ask your partner or friends about their careers and working days. It might be painful to talk about the work place when you’re out of work, but your friends and family will appreciate you showing an interest in that area of their lives.

3. Don’t take it personally

When they see another rejection letter sitting on the door mat, or receive another email telling them they just weren’t right for the job, many job hunters find their motivation levels dip dramatically, and blame themselves for not getting the role. This is something every job hunter experiences at least once, and really shouldn’t get you down. Acknowledge your feelings of disappointment, and then try to move on.

Want to turn this rejection into something positive? Then ask for feedback from the interviewer. They might say something nice about your application, which will boost your self esteem. More helpfully, they’re also likely to give you feedback about what you can improve on that will help you get the next role!

Finally, remember how many successful people have had to accept failure on their path to achieving what they wanted. Notch these first few failures up to experience, and know that the perfect job is out there for you somewhere.

Citations:

• Photo credit: Joshua Hoffman

Tor Brierley is a freelance writer who has written for Yahoo, Brand Republic, and gurgle magazine.