Category: Job Search

Are you feeling fed up with your job search? Are you feeling stressed and wanting to just give up? Is your job search affecting your mental health? Searching for a new job can be both mentally and emotionally draining. We’ve put together these tips on how to look after your mental health during this period.

Be selective

Whether you’re looking for a job full-time or doing this alongside a current position, avoid just thoughtlessly applying to every job you see. Targeting your search and focusing on the quality of your application can improve your chances of success. Hiring managers can tell the difference between someone just applying for the sake of it, to someone really wanting the job. If you have put time, effort, and passion into your application this will show.

Finding a new job doesn’t happen overnight, so applying to loads of jobs and not getting a response can leave you feeling discouraged.

Rather than waste your energy on jobs you don’t really want, try to find something that will work for you in the long run.

Take a break

It can be easy to get lost in hours and hours of job searching! That could be searching for vacancies, completing applications, amending your CV or writing cover letters. If you’re applying for a job full-time, make sure you set yourself a schedule and take regular breaks. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be job searching all day long. Get some fresh air, exercise, and regularly eat healthy snacks and meals to keep your energy levels up.

Why not set up job alerts so that relevant roles go straight to your inbox? This streamlines some of the searching process and saves you time.

Positive Targets

It’s natural for job searching to feel negative, especially when you get rejection emails or even no response at all. This can lower your confidence and leave you feeling low, so find ways to give yourself a boost. It’s so important to not let your job search affect your mental health.

Each day, set yourself three tasks you wish to accomplish. Each time you tick off a task it will give you a sense of achievement. No matter how big or small, celebrate your wins!

Ask for help

Taking on this burden can be a lot for one person to manage and lead to feelings of loneliness. Why not enlist the help of a recruitment agency? An agency like Advance TRS will have a vast network of clients looking for staff, with some vacancies exclusive to that agency.

Our recruitment consultants have a strong understanding of the employer and jobs they are recruiting for, business culture and values. It is their job to work with you and align your ambitions, personality, and suitability.

Contacts Us

Searching for a job within the built environment? Having successfully placed hundreds of skilled candidates into major organisations at all levels, Advance TRS are best placed to find your next role.

Upload your CV and register an account with us to receive the following benefits:

  • Upload and manage multiple CVs
  • Set up personalised job alerts
  • Shortlist your favourite jobs
  • View your applications
  • Access to additional resources to support your job search
  • Work with our dedicated and experienced consultants

Job searching in 2022? You may find yourself wondering if writing a cover letter is still necessary, and our answer? Absolutely. It is thought that at least 56% of employers still expect a cover letter to accompany a job application.

A cover letter shows prospective employers that you’re committed to the job and willing to put in the extra effort. It can set you apart from other candidates and help you stand out from the crowd.

We conducted a recent survey and found that 34% of candidates least like writing a cover letter in their job search. So, we’ve put together some tips to give you confidence in submitting a cover letter and make the process easier:

Research the company

Before writing a cover letter, you should take some time to dig a little deeper into the role you’re applying for and the company. You can then use this information to tailor your letter accordingly.

Some things you want to find out are:

  • What does the company do?
  • Who are their competitors? (this develops your understanding of the industry)
  • Who are their target audience?
  • What skills and experience do they value?
  • What does the role involve and how does this sit within the rest of the company?

Start with a header

Include all essential information about yourself, including name, phone number, email, and the date you’ve written the letter on. Most of this information should already be on your CV, but this saves the employer having to go between the two documents.

Write an impactful introduction

It’s essential to catch the employer’s attention from the very first paragraph. Most candidates start with a simple introduction, stating who they are, their interest in the role and previous work experience.

For example, “With over 10 years’ experience at my current company, I wish to apply for the role of Creative Director being advertised on your website.”

As this is quite generic and a common opening from candidates, you could get lost in the sea of cover letters the recruiter is receiving.

To really grab their attention, start off introducing yourself and your top 2-3 achievements (most relevant to the company or role). This is a great way to impress the employer and shine the light on yourself.

Why you’re suitable for the job

In your second paragraph, describe your professional skills and how you meet the role requirements. Read the job description and identify which of the responsibilities are of high importance for the employer. You’ll need to demonstrate how you meet these and why you’re the perfect fit for the job.

If you’re trying to change role, industry, or struggling to meet all requirements, think about skills and attributes that are transferable.

Try to be specific and give examples of your skills in action.

For example, a statement like “I’m a team player” is very vague.

A statement such as “In my previous role, I worked with a team of 10 on a project and ensured everyone was working towards the same goal. This project led to a 12% rise in sales in first 3 months of completion” is more specific and showcasing what you can do.

What you offer the company

Now is your opportunity to emphasise what you can do for the company and that you’ll be a good fit for their business. This is also a great time for you to state exactly why you want the job and why you’re passionate about working for them.

Again, don’t be too generic just for the sake of writing something. It’s very easy to look up the values of an organisation and simply say these align with your own values. Instead, be as specific as possible, giving example of something they’ve done or detailed knowledge of their culture.

Closing the letter

Wrap up your cover letter by thanking the employer for their time or consideration and include a call to action. This could be the opportunity to discuss further or arranging an interview.

At this point, you should also double check the length of your cover letter. Whilst it is important to cover all the information we’ve advised; you don’t want to put off an employer because it is too lengthy. Aim for half a side of A4 or at a maximum, one A4 page.

Finally, make sure you proofread your letter before sending. Having put so much effort into producing the perfect cover letter, you don’t want to be let down by any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. There are some great online tools such as Grammarly that can help you check, or maybe even ask a friend or family member to look.

Our final checklist

  • Have you done your research into the company?
  • Have you provided all essential information?
  • Does your introductory paragraph make an impact?
  • Have you detailed why you’re suitable for the job?
  • Do you state what you can offer the company?
  • Did you close the letter with a call to action?
  • Have you checked the length of your letter?
  • Have you proofread and checked for errors?

Why Advance TRS?

We offer an in-depth candidate management process supporting you through interview, remuneration negotiation, resignation, counteroffer and notice period. Our consultants go out of their way to keep you informed throughout every stage of the recruitment process.

View our latest jobs and find your next opportunity!

While all interviews and interviewers are different, there are some common interview questions that are asked to find out more about the candidate and how they deal with certain situations. We’ve compiled a list of some of those questions and guidance on how to confidently answer them.

Tell me about yourself

Some interviewers will start the conversation by giving a little insight into the business and will then most likely ask you to tell them a little bit about yourself.

Give them a quick summary of who you are and what you have been doing and some insight on any experience you’ve had which is relevant to the job. It’s a great point in the interview to mention your top achievements and to say why you think you’d be perfect for the role.

The interviewer won’t want to hear your life story or about your family history here. Make sure to talk about experience relevant to the position instead. 

Why are you looking to leave your current role

Make sure you are honest about why you’re looking for work, but try not to talk too negatively about your current employer. Try focusing on something like you are looking for new challenges, possibly even highlighting aspects of the job you are interviewing for which aren’t available with your current employer.

Tell me about a tricky situation you have dealt with and how you solved it

When being asked this kind of question, the interviewers want to find out more about your negotiating skills or potential clashes with colleagues. The best way to approach these type of interview questions is to explain the situation, how you resolved it and what the outcome was.

Try to steer clear of describing a situation where you caused conflict as this might give them the wrong impression.

What are your weaknesses

Being asked this question can be quite daunting, but don’t let it scare you. We previously dedicated a blog to this question that you may find useful.

Talk about something you know isn’t your strongest point but which you are working on. Picking something that you can get training on and willing to develop will be the kind of answer the interviewer is looking for.

What are your career goals?

When answering these interview questions, it’s important to differentiate between your long-term and short-term career goals. Your long-term goals may be wider, overarching achievements that you would like to accomplish in the future. Whereas your short-term goals should be smaller, actionable objectives that may improve relevant skills or performance.

The salary question

Don’t undersell yourself here or say to the interviewer that you’re happy to take whatever they think will be best.

A lot of job adverts will include a salary band and if this isn’t the case, you can take a look at similar roles and get a good idea of an appropriate salary from those. There may also be some room for negotiation between you and the employer, so bare this in mind.

You can then justify what you are asking for by mentioning relevant knowledge and experience you will bring to the team.

Do you have any questions

Avoid asking about working hours and holidays here but instead, ask something about the business. Something you might have read about and you’d like to find out more. Maybe there is a new product or service they are launching which you can ask about. This shows the interviewer that you have done your research on the company. 

You could also ask what goals and objectives the company has over the next, 3, 5, 10 years etc. This will indicate your interest in their mission and longer-term commitment to the business.

Are you looking to take the next step in your career? 

Advance TRS is growing quickly and we are always looking for ambitious, driven people to join the team. Find out more about our current opportunities or for a detailed and confidential conversation, contact our Talent Acquisition Manager Jess.

Having a personal statement on your CV is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to prospective employers. It should be a short paragraph, around 5-6 lines, detailing your attributes, what you can offer the company, and your career goals.

We’ve put together some top tips on writing your personal statement:

What should you include?

You should think about the following points:

• A statement about who are you
• What you currently do? (if applicable)
• What are your career goals/what are you searching for?
• Your value to the company

As employers will only spend a short time reviewing your CV, it’s important to highlight your potential straight away.

Why you should vary your personal statement:

If you have time, it would be beneficial to adapt your personal statement each job you apply for. This allows you to make it as relevant as possible to the role you are applying for. Make sure you do your research on the specific requirements the employer is asking for, both for the job and personal skills. This shows potential employers that you understand the requirements for the role.

Employers may also use applicant tracking systems that analyse your CV for keywords and phrases. Having these included in your personal statement, increases your chances of being seen and progressed in the application stage.

Remember, your personal statement gives you a chance to sell yourself in one paragraph. The rest of your CV is your work experience and your qualifications, so this gives you the opportunity to add that personal touch.

How to structure your statement:

• State who you are – Begin your statement by detailing who you are, your qualities and where you are in your career. Use of buzzwords can capture the attention of potential employers and help you stand out from the crowd.

Example: As an experienced project manager, I have over 10 years of experience across the rail industry. I am a reliable and well-organised manager, bringing a variety of expertise and knowledge to the table

• Communicate your value – The second section should state why you are suitable for the role and what value you bring to the company. This is your chance to highlight any key achievements relevant to the position and distinct qualities.

Example: In my current role, my determination and proactive approach resulted in several successful completions of important projects. The combination of my time management, communication and decision-making skills ensured maximum productivity of each project and of those involved.

• Detail your career goals – In the final part of your statement, you should explain what your career goals are and why you’re applying for this role.

Example: I am now coming to the end of my current role and am seeking a new challenge. I’m looking for a position which will allow me to contribute my skills and experience, whilst increasing my current knowledge.

Advance TRS

For more helpful tips and job search advice check out our website. We have various Advance Advice articles that cover all aspects of job hunting.

If you are looking for a new career in the built environment, contact us today on 01483 361 061. Alternatively, contact us via email at info@advance-trs.com. We have plenty of permanent and contract roles across all our sectors. Our recruiters are here to help!

Do you need an up-to-date CV? Remember your CV represents you to your future employer. Your employer wants to know why they should hire you and not any of the other applicants. So, how do you make your CV and experience stand out? Here are some top tips from our team that you need to think about when writing your CV.

Register on our website to get access to free CV template downloads, and other helpful resources. 

Presentation

When structuring your CV, remember employers see lots of applications for each role, so if yours doesn’t make the right information easily accessible it will go straight to the bottom of the pile. The simpler it looks, the easier it is to read.

  • Invest time to tailor your personal summary specifically for the job you are applying for. This is your primary opportunity to highlight your strengths and previous successes
  • Follow on from this with your qualifications
  • Keep the font to one standard type and size
  • Don’t begin each sentence with ‘I’. Unfortunately, it is not the way to create a compelling CV
  • Keep your education and job history in chronological order. It makes sense to put the most recent achievement or job at the top of the list as this is what the employer is interested in

Be truthful

Noting down truthful experience is essential. If you feel that you have to add in an experience you haven’t completed, this job is not for you! Note down all experience you think is related to the job you are wanting to apply for and you will find the perfect employer who wants to invest in you.

Employment history

Keep this short and sweet. Employers don’t need to know every job you’ve had throughout your life. If you think, on average, 50 people apply for every job on the market. If those 50 people all have 8 paged CVs, the employer will quickly become disinterested in reading through all of that information. Save the long explanations of your employment for your interview. Just note the job role, the company and the dates you worked there and add a little bit more information on what you’ve done in your most recent roles.

Check, check and check again – no typos!

Checking your spelling and grammar is essential. You might want to ask someone to look over your work as well as using spell check and looking up any words you’re unsure of!

TOP TIP!
Why not check out some brilliant spelling and grammar checkers to improve your writing? We particularly like Grammarly.

Make your CV role specific

Make sure you tailor your CV to suit the job you’re applying for. It’s very tempting to try to cut corners with a generic ‘one size fits all’ CV, but it is unlikely you’ll get away with it. Always read the role’s exact requirements and re-word your CV accordingly. This will involve you doing your research so you know exactly what the employer is looking for, it may take a bit of effort, but if it puts you one step closer to your dream job so it’s well worth it!

Once you are convinced that your CV meets all the job criteria and portrays you in the best possible way you are ready to search and apply!

Take a look at our Advance Advice for more help with CVs, interview preparation, and all things relating to your job search!

You’ve just finished writing your CV and ready to send it to prospective employers, but what is your CV really saying about you? Before eagerly submitting any job applications, we’ve put together some tips on reviewing your CV.

Personal Statement

This can be tricky to get right, but is also one of the most important areas of your CV. It is your opportunity to sell yourself to your employer and let them know who you are. Within this section you want to include your attributes, what you can offer to the company, and your career goals/what you’re searching for. We recommend that this is roughly 5-6 sentences long, save your detailed information for the interview stages.

It is also important to tailor your CV/personal statement to each role you apply for. This will show employers that you have put care into your application and understand the requirements for the role. Employers may also use applicant tracking systems that analyse your CV for keywords and phrases. This will look for words/phrases that match the job description or what the employer has instructed the system to look for. Having these included on your CV, increases your chances of being seen and progressed in the application stage.

Employment History

So that employers can get a better understanding of what you can bring to the role, fill your employment history with the skills you used whilst in this job. You can also include any achievements and positive outcomes within your existing roles.

Having a detailed section of previous responsibilities and achievements should be positively received by employers and help you stand out from other applicants. They will be keen to understand your transferable skills and how these will benefit them.

Hobbies/Key Achievements

Whilst it may be tempting to fill your CV with your hobbies and interests, you should think carefully about how this will be received by the employer. We’d suggest only including hobbies or interests that relate to the role you’re applying for or offer intriguing information about yourself. Don’t list interests just for the sake of it.

If you’re struggling with ideas on hobbies or interests, you could have a section for your key achievements. Have you taken part in a charity run? Gained any qualifications? Been promoted to a senior level? Your achievements could be both personal or professional, minor or major, as long as they portray you in a positive light and add value to your CV.

Key Skills

Have you thought about additional skills that could help your CV shine? There are plenty of courses online that are either free or only require a small fee to be. New certifications can then be added to your CV. This will show potential employers that you are proactive and take your personal development seriously.

For more tips and CV advice, take a look at our website and Advance Advice articles. We cover everything from interview preparation and CV writing to top tips for your job search. https://www.advance-trs.com/advice/

Happy New Year! Many of us have had a Christmas break and you may have had time to think about your career. Maybe you decided that a job change is on the cards for you?

Or maybe you worked over the festive period and this has given you the drive to look for a new job.

Whatever your reason for wanting a new job, you need to know what to do next. So where do you start?

  1. Engage a specialist recruiter

Good recruiters will have a comprehensive understanding of your market and current opportunities. Engaging recruiters is a quick way of tapping into this knowledge to help you in your search. They can proactively represent you! Even better, they already have a relationship with the hiring managers. They will be able to guide you through the entire job searching process. From interviews and salary negotiation to job offer and onboarding they should be there throughout.

  1. Update your CV

It is very important to get your CV right. It is often the first impression potential employers have of you. Make sure you have a clean and clear layout and TRIPLE check your spelling and grammar. Get someone else to check it over for you as well. Highlight your key relevant experiences, education and certifications. Include all the details in your last 3 jobs, as this is likely to be how far your potential employer or a recruiter looks. Make sure your CV doesn’t exceed 2 pages if possible!

You can find our free CV template here.

  1. Update your online CV

Your social media profile can act as a virtual CV, it’s there 24/7 as your own personal advert to the job market. The sites you need to create or update are your LinkedIn Profile and chosen Joboard accounts.

Create a LinkedIn profile or update your existing profile. Detail your relevant skills and experience to maximise your online presence. The more experience you list, the more searches you will appear in. Share your profile edits to draw attention to your refreshed profile among your followers.

The number 1 reason people change jobs is career opportunity. A common way people discover a new job is through a referral. Social professional networks are the number 1 source of quality hires, followed by internet job boards and employee referrals. Now that LinkedIn has over 5 million members, businesses and recruiters are utilising this to look for new talent!

You can choose to show recruiters and hiring managers, who are searching for potential candidates, that you are ‘open to opportunities’ on LinkedIn. This will not be visible to your current company but will alert hiring managers and recruiters that you are open to approaches!

What is Advance TRS doing?

For more guidance as you consider your job change, take a look at our advance advice page. We have a variety of job searching articles available, from CV writing tips to interview techniques.

If you are looking for a new job in Rail, Water or Construction, contact us today on 01483 361 061 or head to our contact us page. We have plenty of permanent and contract roles across all of our sectors and our recruiters are here to help!

The year is coming to an end and it’s usually around this time that many of us commit to resolutions we want to achieve over the next twelve months. If a new job or career is on your list then read our recommendations on what you can do now to set yourself up for success in the new year.

Update your CV

A great starting point – having an updated CV listing your most recent experience and relevant roles is very important. Make sure you keep it short and sweet and don’t include unnecessary detail.

If you’re spending Christmas with your family or friends take advantage of having them around and ask them to check your CV. Some of them might have some great advice on what you can improve.

Don’t forget your LinkedIn profile

Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date too. That way, any recruiters or potential employers coming across your page can get a good overview of your experience.

Time for new goals

Use the time you have off over the Christmas period to set some new goals. Make a plan of how you want to achieve them and in what timeframe. This can really help keep you motivated and on track. Remember to stay SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timebound for the best results!

Find a specialist recruiter

A great way to find a job you really like is to work with a specialist recruiter in your area. Good recruiters will have a comprehensive understanding of your market and current opportunities. Engaging recruiters is a quick way of tapping into this knowledge to help you in your search. 

Advance TRS

If you’re looking for roles in the rail, water or construction sectors, our specialist teams might have the right one for you.

You can contact our Recruitment Consultants for a conversation about your new career, our latest vacancies and to discuss any potential opportunities with them.

While maintaining our strong reputation as dependable, effective and honest, Advance TRS continue to grow. Therefore, we are always looking for driven and ambitious individuals to join the team. If this sounds like you and you’d like to work for a business that values its employees’ contribution, we would love to hear from you!

To find out more about our current opportunities, visit our careers page, or for a discrete conversation, contact our Talent Acquisition Manager, Jess.

Current times can seem daunting, especially if you’re looking for a new job. Despite the pandemic, new roles are being added to job boards on a daily basis and businesses are still looking to recruit new talent. There are steps you can take to help you stand out in the job market.  

Having a step-by-step list of things you can do can give you focus and make the process seem less overwhelming. Check out our guide to help you kick start your search.

Give your CV some attention

Updating your CV should be your very first point of action. Bear in mind that recruiters and hiring managers look at dozens of CVs on a daily basis, so you want yours to really stand out and be interesting for them to read. You can do this by writing everything down, condensing the information to a maximum of two pages and restructuring.

Start with your most relevant experience and achievements and make sure to tailor your personal statement to the role you’re applying for. When it comes to personal statements, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. Putting a little effort into getting it right can go a long way.

When it comes to formatting your CV, go with a layout that looks professional and will keep the reader interested. This is your chance to sell yourself and making your CV easy to read and interesting will help you stand out.

You can download our free CV template here. 

Upskill 

Now is a great time to upskill and it doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of courses online that are either free or only require a small fee to be paid and you can enrol and get started right away. New certifications can then be added to your CV. This helps you stand out in the job market, against others who may not have additional qualifications.

This will also show potential employers that you are proactive and take your personal development seriously. 

You might even want to think about reskilling and getting qualified for a new role or sector entirely. Maybe it’s something you have been wanting to do for a while but never found the time to do it. 

Keep it relevant

Once it comes to applying for jobs, try to stick with what is relevant to you and your experience. It can be very disheartening being turned down for a role, even if it wasn’t suitable for you in the first place. 

Take your time to really read job descriptions and decide whether you have the right skillset and experience for the role before you apply. You will be much more likely to stand out and you’ll have a higher chance at hearing back and being invited for an interview. 

Tailor your personal statement to the role

We already mentioned it above, your personal statement will be the first snippet of information recruiters and hiring managers read about you and it needs to be relevant to the job you’re applying for. 

It should be a short summary about you, to help employers see how you view yourself as a person and as an employee. Your personal statement should be one paragraph, aiming for a maximum of 150 words. 

You can find our guide on how to write a personal statement here.

Are you looking to take the next step in your career? 

Advance TRS are growing quickly and we are always looking for ambitious, driven people to join the team. If you are interested to find out more about our current opportunities, visit our website or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

Searching for a job can be a daunting prospect; understanding your worth on the job market, navigating job boards, recruiters and social networks can all present barriers to finding the perfect role. However, new technology and algorithms on established platforms are geared to help you find your next role with minimum effort. Plus, using social media for your job search could prove an important aid.

So how do you find a job in the technological age?

Here are 3 simple tips to help speed up your job search.

Update your Virtual CV

Your social media profile can act as a virtual CV, it’s there 24/7 as your personal advert to the job market. Create a LinkedIn profile or update your existing profile by detailing your relevant skills and experience to maximise your online presence. Share your profile edits to draw attention to your refreshed profile among your followers.

Register for Job Alerts

Save time with your search by registering for job alerts. By registering with relevant job boards and setting up job alerts, you can receive notifications of new opportunities straight to your inbox. You can be as specific as you want to be, narrowing it down to location, salary, job title or industry. Targeting industry-specific job sites can be a good way of narrowing down the number of jobs sent to you.

Utilise Recruiters

Good recruiters will have a comprehensive understanding of your market and current opportunities. Engaging recruiters is a quick way of tapping into this knowledge to help you in your search. Even better, they already have a relationship with the hiring managers and can guide you through the process, from interviews and salary negotiation to offer and onboarding.

A great social media tool for your job search comes from LinkedIn. You can now choose to show recruiters and hiring managers, who are searching for potential candidates, that you are ‘open to opportunities’. This will not be visible to your current company but will alert hiring managers and recruiters that you are open to approaches!

Looking for your next career?

Advance TRS is a niche recruitment consultancy specialising in the provision of highly-skilled technical professionals. Since establishing, Advance TRS has grown rapidly and now provides permanent, contract and temporary recruitment solutions to both candidates and clients across a number of key technical sectors, including Rail, Property, Construction, Water and Utilities.

For the latest opportunities visit www.advance-trs.com or speak to one of our team on 01483 361061.

The last few months have seen a lot of change. If you have found yourself looking for a new opportunity in the post-COVID world, here are some job search tips!

Engage a specialist recruiter

Good recruiters will have a comprehensive understanding of your market and current opportunities. Engaging recruiters is a quick way of tapping into this knowledge to help you in your search. They can proactively represent you! Even better, they already have a relationship with the hiring managers and can guide you through the process, from interviews and salary negotiation through to offer and onboarding.

Update your CV

It is very important to get your CV right as it is often the first impression potential employers have of you. Make sure you have a clean and clear layout and TRIPLE check your spelling and grammar. Get someone else to check it over for you as well. Highlight your key relevant experiences, education and certifications. Include all the details in your last 3 jobs, as this is likely to be how far your potential employer or a recruiter looks. Make sure your CV doesn’t go over 2 pages if possible!

You can find example CV’s and CV templates here.

Read our CV writing tips here.

Update your online CV

Your social media profile can act as a virtual CV, it’s there 24/7 as your own personal advert to the job market. The sites you need to create or update are your LinkedIn Profile and your chosen Joboard accounts.

Create a LinkedIn profile or update your existing profile by detailing your relevant skills and experience to maximise your online presence. The more experience you detail, the more searches you will appear in. Share your profile edits to draw attention to your refreshed profile among your followers.

The number 1 reason people change jobs is career opportunity and the number 1 way people discover a new job is through a referral. Social professional networks are the number 1 source of quality hires, followed by internet job boards and employee referrals. Now that LinkedIn has over 5 million members, businesses and recruiters are utilising this to look for new talent!

You can choose to show recruiters and hiring managers, who are searching for potential candidates, that you are ‘open to opportunities’ on LinkedIn. This will not be visible to your current company but will alert hiring managers and recruiters that you are open to approaches!

Read more guidance on our advance advice page.

If you are looking for a new job in Rail, Property, Water, Utilities or Construction, contact us today on 01483 361061 or contact us via email here. We have plenty of permanent and contract roles across all of our sectors and our recruiters are here to help!

The current coronavirus pandemic means that many of us are living in uncertain times and will be working from home for the foreseeable future. 

During this time it is very important to keep your focus and structure. Something that might help you with this is upskilling yourself. It’s a great way to gain skills that will be relevant to the new working world. 

Virtual meetings

Currently, most, if not all meetings, are held virtually using different video conferencing systems. And as this is a great way of saving time and travel costs it might not just be a temporary solution during the pandemic. 

Upskill yourself by getting to grips with different systems that are available, like Zoom, and become a pro at using them.

Make the most of working from home

In another recent blog, we spoke about taking time during quarantine to take a closer look at your CV and obtain some references.

This is something you might not normally find the time for, however, having a good-quality CV is a great way to make an excellent first impression on potential new employers. 

Knowledge gaps

Are there any parts of your job where you feel that you have knowledge gaps? Maybe there are programmes or systems you use on a daily basis and have been meaning to learn more about those but you never had the time to.

There couldn’t be a better time than now to upskill. The internet offers numerous tutorials you can watch and you probably have more time than ever before to try out your newly learned skills. 

Doing this will give you more of a competitive edge and provides you with a great selling point during interviews once we get past the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll be able to prove your fortitude and show that you are always looking to develop further.

Looking for a new job can be an exhausting and daunting prospect. What kind of salary can I get? Which companies are hiring? What are the people like? How do I update my CV? What do I say at an interview? These are all questions that can get in the way of you taking your next step in your career. 

It can also be a lonely process if you don’t want to let on to friends and colleagues that you are looking to move, you may be left feeling out on a limb. 

Recruiters can have a bad reputation, but fundamentally they can really help you to find your next role and hold your hand through the process, being a trusted advisor and confidant to help you make your next step the right one.

Here are just a few benefits of working with a recruitment consultant. 

1. Help with updating your CV

If you have been out of the job market for a while, the thought of updating your CV might be a scary one. By working with a recruitment consultant, they can help you through the process, giving you CV templates, tips and tricks or even writing it with you. Don’t hesitate to ask them for support and guidance – a good consultant will know how to make your CV stand out from the rest. Finally, remember this service is free for you! So make sure you get the full benefits of working with a pro. Read our CV writing tips or download our CV template. 

2. Bring you to life

No more battling to be the most eye-catching CV on the pile. Not only can a recruitment consultant help you look great on paper, but they can also bring you to life for the client. By getting to know you and understanding what you have to offer, they can sell you to the client so that before they have even seen your CV they want to meet you. This jumps you to the top of the pile and ahead of the competition. 

3. Finding hidden gems 

Good recruitment consultants have exclusive relationships with their clients, with access to roles that are not openly advertised on the job market. Simply put, your dream job might be out there but you may never see it unless you engage with a consultant well embedded in your industry, working with the companies you want to work for. So do your research to find the consultant representing these companies and let them unlock the hidden gem jobs you didn’t even know about.

4. Salary clarity 

From day one a consultant will know the salary information for roles you are applying for and will work to understand your expectations and value on the market. A consultant can also act as a great advocate in uncomfortable salary conversations to help negotiate on your behalf for the salary you are looking for so you won’t have to wonder if you could have got a higher salary in hindsight. 

5. Interview walkthrough 

Consultants know the client, the locations and their interview style. They are best placed to coach you through the interview process so you can put your best foot forward and feel confident and prepared. It is in the consultant’s interest that you perform well at interview stage if you’re the right person for the role, and having someone in your corner to coach you through the process can make it less stressful. Read our interview tips here. 

At Advance TRS our consultants work in a consultative manner and strive to act as your trusted advisor. Remember as a candidate our service is free and our team are here to help you through the process from start to finish. 

View our latest opportunities here or contact our team on 01483 361061 or info@advance-trs.com.

If you are well organised and have planned for your interview, your confidence will increase ensuring that you stand out from other candidates. So, before the interview process, ensure that you:

Know your CV

Familiarise yourself with your CV just before you meet with the interviewer. You are likely to be asked to qualify decisions that have led you to joining organisations on your CV. Make sure you highlight any achievements that will make a positive impression so you are able to emphasise these to explain how you will add value to the company.

Dress to Impress

Pick your outfit and try it on before the interview. Make sure everything fits well and is comfortable. Look the best you can, in attire that is appropriate for the role you are being considered for. If you can feel comfortable and confident in how you look, then this will show in how you present yourself.

Research the Company

Familiarise yourself with information of your potential employer, their culture and work ethos. Research any issues or opportunities within the industry and understand fully how you can contribute positively to assist in resolving or implementing them. As a general rule, the more famous the brand, the more the interviewer will expect you to have done your homework. Researching the company shows that you are serious about the job.

Know the role/job description

When it comes to interview preparation, the job description is your best friend. Not only will a thorough examination of the duties and required personal qualities help you to understand more about what the role entails, it’ll also help you to recognise exactly what the employer is looking for. Then, you can tailor your answers accordingly – coming up with tangible examples that prove you’re the best candidate for the role.

Plan your journey

Confirm the time and location of your interview the day before. If you are taking public transport, make sure you have an up-to-date timetable. If you are driving, allow time for delays and parking. If possible, you may wish to check the journey time by doing a trial run ahead of the interview.

Make a positive First Impression

The importance of making the right first impression cannot be overstated, particularly in the first 30 seconds. The interviewer will begin to form an opinion of you from the minute you arrive. Be punctual and greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, eye contact and a smile, but do be careful not to crush their hand! A little more pressure than they give is a good guide.

“A job interview is not a test of your knowledge, but your ability to use it at the right time”

Click here to view more tips from us.

Click here to view our latest live jobs.

Searching for a job can be a daunting prospect; understanding your worth on the job market, navigating job boards, recruiters and social networks can all present barriers to finding the perfect role. But all is not lost, new technology and algorithms on established platforms are all geared to help you find your next role with minimum effort.

So how do you find a job in the technological age?

Here are 3 simple tips to help speed up your job search.

Update your Virtual CV

 

 

Your social media profile can act as a virtual CV, it’s there 24/7 as your own personal advert to the job market. Create a LinkedIn profile or update your existing profile by detailing your relevant skills and experience to maximise your online presence. Share your profile edits to draw attention to your refreshed profile among your followers.

Register for Job Alerts

 

 

Save time with your search by registering for job alerts. By registering with relevant job boards and setting up job alerts, you can receive notifications of new opportunities straight to your inbox. You can be as specific as you want to be, narrowing it down to location, salary, job title or industry. Targeting industry-specific job sites can be a good way of narrowing down the number of jobs sent to you.

Utilise Recruiters

 

 

Good recruiters will have a comprehensive understanding of your market and current opportunities. Engaging recruiters is a quick way of tapping into this knowledge to help you in your search. Even better, they already have a relationship with the hiring managers and can guide you through the process, from interviews and salary negotiation through to offer and onboarding.

You can now choose to show recruiters and hiring managers, who are searching for potential candidates, that you are ‘open to opportunities’ on LinkedIn. This will not be visible to your current company but will alert hiring managers and recruiters that you are open to approaches!

 

Looking for your next career?

Advance TRS is a niche recruitment consultancy specialising in the provision of highly-skilled technical professionals. Since establishing, Advance TRS has grown rapidly and now provides permanent, contract and temporary recruitment solutions to both candidates and clients across a number of key technical sectors, including Rail, Property, Construction, Water and Utilities.

For the latest opportunities visit www.advance-trs.com or speak to one of our team on 01483 361061.

Know what you are looking for

Before you begin you need to know the position you are seeking and what titles these roles will be found under, be aware that the same job can be labelled differently. For instance, a Project Manager may be referred to as a Programme Manager.

Make sure you know exactly which sector you want to work in, where you want to work, how far you are prepared to travel, whether you are interested in permanent or temporary employment and the salary or rate you are prepared to accept.

If you are unsure of anything such as your market value then talk to a recruitment expert in your sector.

Searching for a Job

Use search engines to search for specialist recruiters in your industry. These specialists will have relationships with the key companies and employers; they will also have live jobs that are ready to be filled.

Advance-TRS are specialist recruiters with experience of over 40 years, they are preferred suppliers to the majority of employers within the rail sector.

Big online job boards can be useful, however, many allow a multitude of agencies to have access to your CV. This can result in mass CV mailshots by inexperienced recruiters to unsuitable employers, which may tarnish your professional integrity.

Preparation

Before searching for jobs make sure you have your CV prepared in case a role becomes immediately available.

Ensure that your Facebook settings are set to private! Many employers use social media to check up on candidates so any lurid pictures and expletives should be deleted and your LinkedIn profile kept up to date.

Counter-offers are becoming increasingly commonplace in today’s competitive skills market. The noticeable skills gap plaguing the engineering sector makes finding replacement staff an arduous and expensive task for employers. Not to mention the time it takes to find suitable candidates, interview them, negotiate terms and wait through their notice period, all before they can even start.

Understandably employers want to hold onto their best people and nobody can complain about a pay rise, so why should you think twice about accepting a counter-offer from your employer?

Our Guide:

  1. Firstly, there must have been a reason you were looking for a new opportunity in the first place. Take a moment to think over your current situation. Are the original reasons you wanted to leave going to be resolved if you accept? Remember, over 50% of employees who accept a counter-offer end up switching jobs within the next 2 years anyway.
  2. You may be planting a seed of doubt into your employer’s mind if you accept a counter-offer. They might privately question your loyalty or wonder if you’re still on the market for another opportunity. In time to come, you might find that you’re passed over for promotions or could even find yourself near the top of the list if the company makes redundancies.
  3. You might be burning bridges with your prospective employer and your recruitment agency. Your chances of ever landing a job with them in the future will be slim to none and going forward you’ll probably find the recruitment agency will be hesitant to pass your CV onto other clients.
  4. In more extreme circumstances, a counter-offer might just be your employer’s short-term solution whilst they find somebody to replace you. The increased cost of your salary in the short-term is a small expense compared to weeks of an empty chair at your desk. Whilst it might seem a little far-fetched, it has certainly happened to many people.

If you decide to decline the counter offer, be sure to keep your bridges intact by being polite and thankful to your employer. Assure them that you’ll do as much as you can to make the transition to your replacement as smooth as possible by providing a suitable handover. Send a thank you note around a week after you start your new job, it may just be the olive branch you need if things head south in your new role.

Competition is rife; the current job market is flooded with candidates who could stand in your way to securing that perfect next career move, so how do you make sure you come out on top?

Andy Ridout, Managing Director of the recruitment agency, Advance TRS, gives us an insight into what employers are really looking for…

Get your CV in shape

Over the course of my career, I have read hundreds of thousands of CV’s and can safely say that employers have too, this is why it is so important to present yours correctly.

Presentation

We are looking for CV’s that reflect professionalism and to achieve this, presentation is key. A good CV should begin by listing your educational attainment, followed by your most recent, relevant jobs with dates of employment; underneath each job include a short summary of the responsibilities and duties you were given whilst in the role highlighting your achievements strengths and expressing your ambitions.

Make your summaries to the point and relevant, this will ensure we can quickly access your best features and match you to a role as fast as possible.
It can be very easy to get carried away with fancy fonts and italics but in my experience, this rarely looks professional. I would strongly recommend that text is kept to a standard size (10/11) and a professional and clear looking font (Calibri is a favourite of mine)

Read the job description

Unfortunately, all too often we receive CV’s from candidates who have not read the job description correctly; an absolute pet peeve for employers. So, before you apply, please make sure you have all the necessary qualifications and experience; if you don’t we will not send your CV to our client.

Make your CV role specific

Once you have established that you meet the role’s requirements make sure you tailor your CV accordingly. It can be tempting to try to cut corners with a generic ‘one size fits all’ CV but unlikely you’ll display your abilities to their full capacity or get the intended response. Do your research; know the company and re-word your CV to demonstrate that you are the right person for the job.

Go Niche

I have made a successful recruitment career from understanding the specifics and technicalities of the Rail industry. At Advance TRS, we deal with jobs in 4 different sectors, making us specialist recruiters in Rail, Property, Construction and Water. This allows us to be the first point of call for candidates who require a recruitment team who understands industry jargon and has solid relationships with the top employers in their field.

The interview

Once Advance TRS have secured you an interview we will do everything we can to help you through the process.
Interviewers are looking for people who will fit in with the company’s current employees as well as the professional image and reputation they wish to portray. It is essential that your clothes, body language and conduct reflect this since first impressions definitely last.

It is a good idea to stage the interview with a friend or family member the night before. This will give you the opportunity to practice being put on the spot and allow you to prepare your answers to any tricky questions, undoubtedly boosting your confidence during the actual scenario.

Remember, the service we provide you with is free, we don’t get paid unless we find you a job so, if you suit our client’s requirements we will do our best to help you secure your dream job.

For your next career move get in touch with a member of the team at Advance TRS on 01483 361 061.