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Creating a resume is like fishing. Your resume is the bait that you disseminate into the workplace of a company that you would like to consider a career with. You cast your resume into the human resource pond hoping to hook a job. Resumes are all about catching the attention of management to consider you for an interview, not a job yet, just a face-to-face.

In today’s environment, technology allows you to do so many things to be seen by a company you want to work for. Besides a resume, you can make use of a portfolio website builder to help you make an amazing portfolio to showcase your talents. However, the use of traditional resumes is still important. Whether you are taking a paper route, where you physically bring or mail a paper resume to a business; or a digital page template resume, a good resume is a must. 

Resume Formats

Resumes continue to be categorized into three format styles:

*Chronological: a traditional format where your work experience and education is written in the reverse, meaning that your most recent careers are listed first

*Functional: a format that highlights skills, experience, and abilities

* Combination: a merge of specific information from both the chronological and functional formats

Soft Skills and Hard Skills

A well-constructed resume introduces job candidates to potential employers with a clear, easily read, concise history on one or two pages. Employers need to see soft skills and hard skills. Hard skills would be specific knowledge and abilities. Soft skills would include attributes and personality traits. Both hard and soft skills are important factors for employers to find the perfect fit for their business.

Styles and Content

Resume styles and their content has not changed. Employers are still interested in resumes that contain the following information:

a.Heading: This opening resume section includes your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. Modern resumes now include any personal domain websites you maintain or more popular is a Linked-In profile.

b.Summary Qualifications/Skills: this resume section should focus on your professional experiences. It helps to raise your resume to the top of the list when you include keywords that match what a company is looking for as described in their job description. This section might also include the title of “professional experience,” but whatever you use, put your best experiences and skills in this section.

c.Education: list your education, preferably with the latest accolade first. You no longer need to include your high school information because it is a given that in applying for a particular career, it means that you attended high school.

1. Honors and Awards: this section can be included if a candidate is applying for a senior management position.

e.References: If adding a reference section takes your resume over to two pages, you can omit it. Your potential employer will ask you for references as part of your background check.

Resume Do’s and Don’ts

Use up to 4 or 5 short bullet points to explain your responsibilities and skills in each resume section. Recruiting managers are inundated with resumes, so a one-page resume fits their review time perfectly. However, when a senior management position is being applied for, sometimes two pages are needed.

Whichever resume format you choose, be consistent throughout the whole resume. Also, please re-read your resume or have someone read your resume to eliminate any typing and grammatical errors. Professional job sites or brick and mortar employment offices are suggesting that the following wording in job descriptions be omitted from modern-day resumes:

*Hobbies can be excluded. Unless professional hobbies are related to your work qualifications, hobbies are not needed

*Pronouns like I, me, my, etc. Your resume is about you so you don’t need to make this a prominent feature

*Words like “results-driven,” “team player,” “hard worker,” or “duties included.”

Your resume should not include fancy stylish fonts, graphics or extra features that actually turn-off hiring departments. Black only fonts in resumes that are easy to read include: “Arial,” “Calibri,” “Georgia,” and “Times New Roman.”

The font size that is a friendly read for hiring managers is generally size 12, depending on each font, but certainly nothing smaller than size 11. What is accepted on resumes are dividing icons, like horizontal lines, that are used in a simple way to separate categories.    

 

The automotive industry employs roughly 4.2 million people in the US alone, according to a 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, but there’s more to the automotive industry than simply repairing cars. There are actually numerous other jobs that pay well for recent graduates that don’t require you to work in a shop. If you find yourself day-dreaming about a job that revolves around simply being near or operating a car, truck, van or any other type of auto, you might consider jobs that require you to become a professional driver.

What You Need to be a Professional Driver

Communication skills, great judgment skills, attention to detail and a working knowledge of trucks and how to inspect and service them will all take you far as a professional driver. In regards to education, you will simply need to complete specific driving courses to get your commercial driver’s license as well as complete driving skills and safety course. While your employer will likely provide you with the type of insurance you need, it is important to ensure that you don’t have any prior accidents on your driving record that could make it hard for them to employ you. Most professional truck drivers on the road can expect to earn an average starting salary of $42,500 per year with delivery truck drivers and bus drivers also earning a similar salary for comparable work and skills.

Connecting Consumers as a Professional Truck Driver

As a professional truck driver, you’ll be working to support America’s economy while also being responsible for connecting people all over the country to the products they need in their everyday life. As a truck driver, you can work to transport goods, mainly for logistics service providers, but you can also be employed by postal and courier services. The great thing about being a professional driver is that it provides you with the opportunity to see a large portion of the country, with the option to have more say over your driving assignments as your work your way up the ranks. Among the various professional benefits of working in an industry that helps the country run smoothly and efficiently, professional drivers often get paid vacation and sick days as well as the benefit of being able to enjoy the open road on a daily basis.

Turning a Passion into a Career

This is something many people want to do and few people accomplish. Just because you feel like your passion for cars and driving might be something that isn’t traditionally considered “professional” doesn’t mean it can’t be a real, life-long profession for you. There are plenty of opportunities to put your love and knowledge of cars to work for you. Finding a job that allows you to pursue your passion while learning new, interesting things each day and also provide financial stability is easy in the automotive industry if you put in a little work.

by Amber Rolfe

OK, so life at work doesn’t always go to plan…

Whether it’s that you can’t seem to get along with your colleagues, your workload is becoming too much, or your heart simply isn’t in it, there are a number of issues that can affect your happiness at work. But that doesn’t mean they’re all impossible to overcome.

To help you get over some of the biggest issues, here are five common work problems, and our advice on how to deal with them professionally:

 

You’re getting no recognition at work                                                                                                                   

The problem: You’re feeling undervalued.

The solution: Make your achievements known, and don’t be afraid to brag (humbly).

 

OK, so you’re working super hard. But is anyone actually noticing?

If you feel like your efforts are going unseen, it can be all too easy to think what you’re doing has no value. The knock-on effect? A lack of motivation, productivity, and ultimately, general happiness at work.

But although you want your manager to realise your achievements on their own, you may be better off taking it into your own hands. After all, you’re the only one who really knows the true extent of the work you’re doing – so it’s up to you to keep others up-to-date.

Whether it’s during one-to-ones with your boss, meetings, or even via email updates, don’t be afraid to highlight the efforts you’re making, and how they’re positively impacting the business.

Just don’t expect to be praised for every single thing you do – especially minor duties that are part of your day-to-day. There’s a fine line between having pride in your work and just outrightly fishing for compliments.

Six tips to improve your workplace wellbeing

 

You’ve done something wrong                                                                                                                   

The problem: You made a mistake.

The solution: Take accountability, and learn from it.

 

Let’s face it, nobody’s perfect – and mistakes happen to best of us.

Luckily, it’s how you deal with them that really matters.

Although it might feel daunting to face up to an error you made (especially if it was particularly damaging), ignoring it is the worst thing you can do.

Instead, go directly to your manager and tell them exactly what happened, making it clear you understand the importance of the mistake. Then, explain how you plan to reduce damage, and the impact it has on your team, your customers, and the business as a whole.

Crucially, make it clear that you’ve actually learnt from the mistake, and explain how you’ll ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Four lessons you can learn from famous failures

You keep getting distracted                                                                                                                   

The problem: You can’t stay focused.

The solution: Identify your triggers, and minimise them. 

 

When it comes to workplace distractions, everyone has a weakness.

Whether it’s that you’re battling a social media addiction, your group chat requires constant attention, you’re easily distracted by those around you, or a combination of all three – channelling the willpower to zone out of everything except work can be tough.

But although you can’t just turn off the internet (or your colleagues), you can limit the time you spend on non-work based tasks or interactions.

For example, waiting until you finish a task before checking your phone, or putting your headphones in for two hours of focused-work-time until you’re able to join in on office small talk could be a great way to get things done faster.

If a particularly noisy workplace is making it impossible to concentrate, consider changing your work environment. Working from home, in a quiet meeting room, or even from a coffee shop (if your manager allows it) are all potentially viable solutions.

Top 5 – Desktop distractions

How to: Stop procrastinating at work

You don’t get along with a colleague                                                                                                                   

The problem: You’re struggling to work with other team members.

The solution: Always be the bigger person.

 

Unfortunately, you can’t get along with everyone.

With some difficult colleagues, even maintaining a basic level of work-based conversation can feel like a constant battle. No matter how hard you try to keep the peace.

It could be that you’re disagreeing on a particular project, they seem to go out of their way to cause problems, or you simply just don’t see eye to eye. On anything.

Whatever it is, being polite and direct is the best first step. Informally discussing your concerns can often be the best way to resolve minor issues, especially if your colleague is unaware that their behaviour is affecting others. If this doesn’t work, and it’s affecting your ability to work effectively, consider mentioning it to your manager.

But remember: you don’t actually have to like each other. You just have to work together.

11 of the worst people you can work with

Top 5 – Irritating office habits (and how to deal with them)

 

You’re working too hard                                                                                                                   

The problem: You’re being overworked.

The solution: Learn to say no, and make your abilities clear.

 

So your workload seems to be increasing at an unstoppable rate, and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed.

In fact, you can’t remember the last time you didn’t stay late in an attempt to get everything done.

Whether it’s that you’ve inadvertently taken on someone else’s job as well as your own, your client base has expanded in size, or you’ve simply just been given too many new responsibilities – taking on more work than you can handle isn’t great for your wellbeing (not to mention your productivity).

Although it might seem like working extra hard will boost your chances of a promotion, it could mean the opposite if that burnt out feeling is affecting your quality of work.

So arrange a meeting with your manager to discuss your unmanageable workload, explaining the reasons you’re struggling, and exactly what you’re capable of.

Suggesting alternatives that work better for you and your team (e.g. passing some responsibilities on to others, introducing flexible working hours) will be particularly helpful – and ensure you start focussing on the tasks that are most important.

Six signs you’re working too hard

Five benefits of work-life balance

 

 

Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now

 

Do “not” tell me how I am doing…

These are the words we mutter silently to ourselves when a well-meaning person, be it friend, boss or partner, assumes they know what we are going through as working mothers.

People assume that working mothers are tired, have got it together, can’t cope, want balance, are feeling frustrated, want to go home, feel guilty, questioning their capability, are loving their life…

They may be right. They may be wrong. They are ALL just assumptions.

As topics get trendy, more assumptions tend to be made and working mothers is a trendy topic. Just ask @emrusciano, who, in a recent article rebuttal, shined the light on the false assumptions made from every angle regarding her recent change in career … without asking her.

Making assumptions is a version of our survival instinct.  When our brain makes a snap decision about a situation and acts accordingly for our survival (note this is our survival, not the working mother). It is our unconscious bias at work. Granted in high-risk situations, this can be the difference between life and death.  But we are not facing that when we face the working mother (unless you get between her and her child!).

Assumptions about working mothers in the workplace disempower the working mother by taking away the opportunity and affects her engagement at work and/or at home.

When decisions are made in the background such as promotion, project assignment and fast-tracking regarding working mothers based on assumptions, the end result will always be negative. Why? Because engagement suffers due to the disempowerment of the working mothers. This unintended collateral damage from making assumptions negatively impacts organisations in the long run.

The lesson for all of us in the workplace is this:

Don’t assume. Be curious, Ask the question. Empathise. Have the conversation.

For the working mothers, here is some advice to empower yourselves in the face of assumptions:

• Remember that these are assumptions made by others. They are not yours. However, if we hear them enough, they can become part of our habitual thinking. So be aware and be mindful. I love this quote from Brene Brown

“If you aren’t in the area also getting your arse kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.”

In a nut shell, don’t let those assumptions or what you hear, infiltrate your habitual thinking unless warranted.

• It’s easy to get angry or roll our eyes in these situations. However, assume that people have the best of intentions until proven otherwise and think of engaging with them instead.

• When someone asks about your wellbeing, be honest and answer. “I’m fine” is an F-word in my vocabulary. They have taken the time to ask the question, honour it with a proper answer.

• Be kind. Because when you hear one’s assumptions of you, what you are actually hearing is what they are really insecure/ worried about themselves. (Remember that it is a version of our survival instinct) Give them a hug instead.

Assumptions reflect the organisational culture in which we operate.  The types of conversations we have reflect our culture, our norms and the way we do things.

Prevent the collateral damage from assumptions and instead have the right conversations FIRST.

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ABOUT SHANNON

Shannon coaches working mothers to bring more of their authentic self and align with their purpose to uplevel their performance so they can smash their results and then switch off at home to be present for their loved ones – happy in the knowledge that they are fulfilling their potential at work and at home.”

What this means for organisations is that they don’t lose those driven, intelligent and ambitious women previously identified as “talent” to the mommy track or other businesses including self-employed after investing so much time, effort and money into their succession planning. Women do want to work and have a career with purpose yet more than 70% go back to work only for the paycheck (according to EY research) so organisations must reconnect and re-engage these women to thrive in their organisations to gain a positive ROI.

What this means for the individual is that they re-engage with their passion that drives them at home and at work. They learn to balance the two and intertwine them with a particular set of skills to be successful in both arenas. They rediscover themselves, their goals and their passion to have it all with a clear conscience ‘with working mothers achieving more and being more balanced, we can improve the lives of children – future generations, everywhere’.

FlexCareers offers a FREE 30-minute introductory meeting with our FlexCoaches, to help you establish if coaching is right for you.

Are you ready to take your career to the next level with a graduate degree? Not only can earning an advanced degree bring you more fulfillment and a higher salary, but it can also greatly sharpen your skill set, giving you the ability to take on more complex projects and become a more productive employee.

But, while a master’s degree sounds nice, can you afford it? Going to grad school isn’t cheap — and that’s why many grad students get their bosses to cover those tuition bills. Paying for your master’s degree is a steal compared to the cost of finding, recruiting and training a new employee who already has one. But to get your company to pay for your degree, you’ll have to convince your boss and your HR manager that your proposed degree program is worth the investment.

Know What Degree You Want — And Why You Want It

Before you approach your boss about tuition reimbursement, research schools, degrees and courses. Decide what degree you want and what your career plan is post-degree. If you can explain why you think a particular course of study will benefit your career, you’ll have a much better chance of getting your employer to foot the bill.

You should also get a clear idea of what earning a degree will involve and not just in terms of coursework. It could take up to a year to prepare a master’s degree application. You’ll need to take the GRE or GMAT, write a personal statement, collect references and perhaps even put together a portfolio of your previous work. When you meet with your employer to discuss tuition reimbursement, you’ll want to give them a clear timeline for admission into the program, so they know what to expect.

Sell Your Boss on the Benefit to the Company

Thanks to online degree programs, you can earn just about any master’s degree without leaving home — or your full-time job. But your company probably won’t pay for just any master’s degree. They will, however, shell out for a master’s degree that will help you advance in your current field.

Let’s say you’re an engineer. An online engineering master’s would be the perfect credential to help you move up into more advanced roles and have a greater impact on your industry. Your employer could probably easily be convinced of the value of such a degree. Be ready to discuss how the master’s degree of your choice will help you add value to the company by:

• Giving you new skills to bring to the table
• Making you more productive
• Allowing you to take on new, more difficult and more complex projects
• Preparing you for leadership roles
• Fostering the opportunity to mentor other employees and teach them the skills you’re learning
• Improve the company’s reputation

Remember, you won’t have to wait until graduation day to start bringing your company more value. You can put your new skills to use on the job as you’re learning them.

Address Concerns

Even if your boss is receptive to the idea of paying for your master’s degree, he or she might have concerns. For example, your boss might be worried that you’ll need more time off or more scheduling flexibility or that you’ll be too tired or distracted on the job to perform well. Remind your boss of what you’ve accomplished so far and offer a plan for how you’ll balance the responsibilities of work and school. Emphasize how going back to school will help you stay engaged at work.

Offer a Commitment

Your employer may not want to pay for your graduate studies if he or she is worried that you’ll jump ship before the ink is dry on your new diploma. Reassure your boss that his or her investment in your education will pay off. Offer to stay with the company for a certain number of years post-graduation, and stick to it. Most companies will be happy with a three- to five-year commitment.

Getting your boss to pay your tuition is one of the best ways to earn a graduate degree without taking on even more student debt than you may already have. A master’s degree can be just what you need to take your career to the next level, and your boss can help you get there — all you need to do is ask.

by Amber Rolfe

Want to work in L&D? We’ve got this…

Whether you’re looking to develop your career in Learning & Development or you want to start afresh, there are a number of great opportunities on offer. Not sure what it’s all about? We spoke to the experts at AVADO, one of the UK’s largest providers of professional qualifications, to find out.

Here’s everything you need to know about a career in Learning & Development (along with a few tips on how to get started):

 

What is L&D?

Learning and development (L&D) is a field of work that focuses on providing and managing job-related training to employees and individuals.

Those working in this field will usually be responsible for developing a workforce’s capabilities and practical skills – with roles including everything from the design and management of learning programmes, to the practical delivery of training.

If you’re a great communicator who is interested in a career helping individuals develop their skills at work, L&D could be the perfect fit for you.

 

What industry could I work in? 

Whilst L&D professionals are most common within the HR and sales industries, roles can be found almost anywhere. After all, a knowledgeable workforce is the key to the smooth running of every organisation.

Most commonly, they work at:

• Commercial firms
• Educational institutions
• Health service
• Law and financial firms
• Retail companies
• Central and local government
• Training consultancies
• Manufacturing organisations
• Technology training providers

 

What L&D jobs are available?

This field offers a wide range of opportunities, both at junior and senior level – meaning it’s a great career path to pursue for people at all stages in their career.

Here are just a few of the most common L&D roles:

• L&D Advisor
• L&D Manager
• Head of L&D
• Training Project Administrator
• Sales Trainer
• Apprenticeship Coordinator
• Talent Acquisition Consultant

 

What are L&D employers looking for?

Skills

Here are a few of the key skills L&D employers look for:

• Interpersonal skills
• Motivational skills
• Problem solving skills
• An ability to advise and inform others clearly
• Initiative and creativity
• Excellent time management
• Organisational skills

 

Experience

The level of experience you’ll need will depend on the specific role you’re applying for – but anything that demonstrates your leadership and motivational skills is likely to boost your application.

Previous experience in related fields (e.g. admin and HR) is also valuable to employers.

If you’re lacking in practical work experience, don’t panic. Taking part in voluntary work, summer placements, or (if you’re still studying) joining university clubs, teams, or societies is a great way to develop your skills in team work and organisation, which are also vital in L&D roles.

 

Qualifications

You don’t necessarily need a degree to start a career in L&D, as professional qualifications and experience are more highly sought after by employers.

CIPD courses are particularly beneficial, as they’re internationally recognised and allow you to prove your professional credibility; through the learning of core principles, skills, and collaborative techniques.

And, if you’re new to L&D and want to study flexibly whilst boosting your earning potential; there’s no better choice than the CIPD courses with AVADO.

 

Why study with AVADO?

AVADO are the largest training provider for professional qualifications in the UK with an active community of over 20,000 students studying to secure their next promotion, a higher salary or to take their career in a new direction.

They are CIPD Enterprises’ only official online learning partner for qualifications in L&D and HR, enabling you to gain access to exclusive CIPD experts and content you won’t find anywhere else.

Not only do they offer over 26 years’ worth of experience in online learning, they also have a 96% pass rate* on their CIPD courses.

Other benefits of studying with AVADO include:

• Interactive classes, where you can learn online with other students
• Expert tutors handpicked to support you
• An online learning platform built around you
• Bite-sized content designed to work on mobile
• Award winning provider you can trust

 

Find out more

 

 

Want to learn more about how a qualification could help your career? Enquire now.

 

*L&D pass rates up to 96% based on submitted assignments from students studying our CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Certificate and Diploma in Learning & Development, May to October 2016 cohorts.

 

 

AVADO is the largest online provider of professional qualifications in the UK, with courses available in HR, Accountancy, Bookkeeping, Business and more.

 

Product Management or PM is one career option that offers very favorable possibilities even if you’re a fresh graduate. One thing’s for sure, tech companies are constantly coming up with innovative solutions with new product lines being introduced each year. Added to that is the fact that startups are looking into developing disruptive products and services, creating numerous opportunities for goal-oriented individuals.

The demand for product managers is growing each year, but choosing the best people for this line of work has become even more competitive. Companies are willing to invest their time and resources on potential PM staffers who can help them realize the goals of their business.

It takes skill and experience to become a great product manager. That being said, here are the tips you need to go down that career path.

1. Know what the job covers

If there’s any practical advice you need to land a PM job, it’s that you will have to be familiar with the scope of the job itself. PM is closely tied to the development of technology, and as new hardware and software are introduced, it’s only proper the field has become even broader and demanding.

To put it generally, product managers handle the planning and execution of the production process. They oversee possible concepts and coordinate with other members of the design team in building the product. From this, you can say that PM involves a great deal of leadership, and if you’re the type of person who doesn’t have a problem along the lines of team management, then you may have found the right career.

2. Develop great research skills

A great product manager has an eye for detail. Come to think of it,  the details that really determine how your product will fare in the market. Doing your homework goes a long way since it’s something you will need to do to ensure the quality of the product.  

In this sense, product managers also spend ample time receiving and analyzing feedback from customers. They treat comments and complaints as a form of intelligence which they can use to develop future product lines and rectify or upgrade existing ones. You can also use your skills to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors. This allows you to refine your product for greater market penetration.

3. Learn from the masters

PM really takes a lot of time to take in. Nevertheless, you will have to get all the important skills you need to get started. After all, this career option involves a great deal of knowing the processes involved in product development. The best way to learn is through people who already have considerable experience in the field of PM.

Fortunately, there are numerous sites that offer courses in Product Management Training. To be sure, opt for online schools and courses that have extensive topics on PM. More importantly, get training from an online school where design, engineering, and management experts can provide you with advice on topics such as workflow management, marketing, research, and analytics.

by Amber Rolfe

Losing someone you love is never easy.

That’s why it’s important to ensure you allow yourself an appropriate amount of time off work to grieve, as well as organise any other essential duties you may need to fulfil. But how much time off is permitted, and how do you ask your employer?

Here’s everything you need to know about bereavement leave:

 

What is bereavement leave?

Bereavement leave (also known as compassionate leave) is an agreed upon time off of work an employee takes following the death of a family member or loved one.

The time allows individuals to make funeral arrangements, and complete tasks such as organising the deceased’s possessions and will, as well as pay their respects and begin the grieving process, in the event of the death of a loved one.

 

Am I entitled to bereavement leave?

According to the Employment Rights Act 1996, UK employers are obligated to give employees an unpaid “reasonable” number of days off following the death of a family member, or dependent.

 

Who are classed as family members?

This is usually defined as a spouse, partner, child, parent, brother, sister, grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, or someone the employee cared for.

However, the rules for this are far from defined, meaning the death of people outside of your immediate family, such as friends, may be considered as grounds for allowing bereavement leave.

 

How much time off can I take?

There is no set amount of time an employer should allow when it comes to bereavement leave, and it’s usually given at their own discretion, depending on the situation.

Some may specify a set number of days, whilst others will make their decision on a case-by-case basis. On average, businesses will most commonly permit around 2-5 days.

This allows the employee to deal with an unforeseen emergency, along with the arranging and attending of a funeral.

 

Will I get paid?

Whilst employers have no legal obligation to pay employees while they are on bereavement leave, some may choose to.

To find out if your company offers paid bereavement or compassionate leave, check your employment contract or employee handbook.

 

What if I need more time off?

Whether you’re able to extend your bereavement leave past the average amount will once again depend on your employer and the individual situation.

If you need longer than is being allowed, always speak to your company’s HR team directly to see what other options are available.

 

Will my bereavement leave run out?

Bereavement/compassionate leave is completely separate to other types of leave (e.g. time off sick, annual leave), and doesn’t accumulate or formally ‘run out’.

 

Will I have to provide proof?

Some employers may ask an employee for evidence of the reason an employee is taking bereavement leave, although this must be a reasonable request.

This could be, for example, an obituary, or a death or funeral notice.

Details of whether you’ll need to provide these documents can be found in your employment contract.

 

How do I ask for bereavement leave?

The process for requesting bereavement leave will vary from company to company, and will usually be outlined in your employee handbook or contract.

Usually, it will involve telling your employer as soon as possible. If it’s an emergency, letting them know after you leave work, at your earliest opportunity, is recommended.

 

Final thoughts

Finally, it’s important to remember that every situation is different. However, you should never feel pressured to go back to work before you’re ready.

If you feel like the bereavement leave you’ve received isn’t enough, talk to your employer. Most are extremely understanding in situations like these, and will be willing to provide you with extra time off if you need it.

After all, they have a vested interest in the wellbeing of their employees, and providing the time off is warranted and reasonable, should be able to come to an arrangement that suits everyone involved.

Finally, if you’re unhappy with the treatment you’re receiving, or your employer has denied you any bereavement leave, consider raising a grievance with your HR team directly to find out more about your options.

 

 

Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now

 

by Michael Cheary

If you’re looking for a career as an Engineer, you’ve come to the right place…

reed.co.uk has thousands of new engineering roles on offer every single month, with some of the top companies in the UK hiring on an ongoing basis. So, it doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out in the industry, or you’ve got years’ worth of experience – we’ve got you covered.

To help you start your search, here are five of the top engineering companies hiring right now:

 

Skanska

Who they are – Established in 1887, Skanska is one of the world’s largest project development and construction groups – and one of the UK’s leading contractors.

What they do – Skanska help to construct, upgrade and maintain buildings and infrastructure right across the country. Their work can be seen in everything from major projects, such as the Gherkin and Crossrail, through to smaller community developments. For example, they’ve built more than 40 schools in Bristol alone over the last 10 years, delivering 7,500 new primary school places.

What roles are on offer – Jobs with Skanska include top-level engineering roles, such as Project Engineers, Mechanical Engineers and Design Engineers, as well as jobs for Surveyors, Site Managers, and EWM consultants. They also offer a range of apprenticeships, for anyone just starting out in their career.

Why you should work for them – Skanksa really care about sustainability. In fact, they use their Skanska Color Palette™ to measure and guide their green activities – which helped produce their first Deep Green project in the UK, Bentley Works in Doncaster. It was built from sustainable sources, generates its own energy, harvests water and has a near zero carbon footprint. No hazardous materials were used and zero waste was sent to landfill during construction.

View all jobs with Skanska here

 

Scania

Who they are – Scania are one of Europe’s leading suppliers of heavy commercial vehicles, employing over 49,000 staff in 100 countries across the world.

What they do – They specialise in the manufacture of heavy trucks and buses. However, they also manufacture diesel engines for heavy vehicles, as well as other industrial and marine engines.

What roles are on offer – From Apprentice to Master Technician, from Parts Professional to Sales or Service Manager, the company offers a complete career track for anyone looking to pursue a career at the cutting-edge of the automotive industry.

Why you should work for them – As part of a global organisation, Scania can offer opportunities for career progression and self-development both within and outside of the UK. So if you’re looking for the opportunity to work abroad as part of your career, they could be the company for you. They also offer a full programme of training courses – from recognised qualifications to leadership initiatives delivered at their award-winning training centre in Loughborough.

View all jobs with Scania here

 

Severn Trent

Who they are – Severn Trent are one of ten regulated water and sewerage companies in England and Wales – and also one of the largest. Over their more than 100 years’ worth of history, they’ve gone from being a regional water authority to becoming an integral part of the FTSE 100.

What they do – They help over 8 million people – from the Bristol Channel to the Humber, mid-Wales to East Midlands – enjoy the wonders of water every day. Whether it’s for a cup of tea or a shower in your home, or life-dependent water supplies for hospitals, nursing homes, schools, or anywhere else.

What roles are on offer – If you’re passionate about solving some of the world’s biggest challenges and you’ve got enthusiasm in abundance, they want to hear from you. Jobs on offer with Severn Trent include Maintenance Technician and Design Engineer, as well as roles in commissioning projects and hydrogeology.

Why you should work for them – Water touches all aspects of our lives, defining everything from the clothes we wear to the food we eat, and even the way we build our communities. Working for Severn Trent means making a difference to people’s lives every single day. That could mean investing in renewable technologies, finding smarter ways of testing waste water, or reducing the use of chemicals in our water systems. And as they promote 60% of their staff from within, your career will have the opportunity to grow as you do.

View all jobs with Severn Trent here

 

HS2

Who they are – HS2 will be the UK’s newest dedicated high-speed railway, connecting London to Birmingham from 2026 and then, along a Y-shaped route, to Manchester in the West and Leeds in the East from 2033.

What they do – They’re responsible for delivering the whole HS2 project, which will involve laying 345 miles of track over the next 15 years – and connect over 100 UK cities as a result. Aside from helping bridge the north-south divide, the scheme will alleviate congestion on our current lines, as well as increase trade, boost tourism and regenerate towns across the country.

What roles are on offer – They’re looking to fill a wide range of positions, including Maintenance Engineers and Construction Managers, as well as Project Managers, Town Planners and procurement professionals.

Why you should work for them – HS2 is an unparalleled venture in modern engineering. As well as pioneering the use of leading technology, you’ll be setting new engineering, environmental and safety standards every single day. So, not only will it be a great learning experience, it’ll also be a great asset to add to your CV – instantly adding value and demonstrating to employers that you are one of the very best in your chose field.

View all jobs with HS2 here

 

Sir Robert McAlpine

Who they are – Established in 1869, Sir Robert McAlpine is a UK-based, family-owned building and civil engineering company.

What they do – Being a leading construction firm for more than two centuries, they’ve worked on everything from housing and building projects in small towns across the UK, through to constructing some of our country’s most iconic structures. Notable projects include the Olympic Stadium, O2 Arena, Emirates Stadium, the Eden Project, Cabot Circus in Bristol and the M74 Completion in Glasgow.

What roles are on offer – Anything and everything in engineering. So whether you’re a recent graduate looking for work as a Civil Engineer, a Quantity Surveyor, Planning Manager, or an experienced Chief Engineer, Sir Robert McAlpine have a role out there to suit you.

Why you should work for them – With an industry-leading package and exceptional training, this is your chance to develop an exciting and varied career path in a company which treats all of its employees like family. If you want to be the best at what you do and to work on projects you can be truly proud of, this is the right company for you.

View all jobs with Sir Robert McAlpine here

 

 

Honourable mentions: Balfour Beatty, Tata, National Rail, Mercedes, the British Army.

 

 

Ready to love Mondays? View all of our current engineering vacancies now.

 

In the words of the infinitely wise Mary Poppins, “Well begun is half done.” That is, if you start something off right, you lay a solid foundation for success – a principle that’s especially applicable to the world of work. It’s why productivity experts everywhere tout the importance of establishing an effective morning work routine if you want to improve your output and roll into bed at night with a great sense of accomplishment.

Of course, the ideal morning routine will look slightly different for everyone, but there are certain pre-noon habits that are worthwhile adopting regardless of who you are and what role you fill. If you’re looking to improve the way you start your workday, consider following this daily sequence of actions:

 

• Get up when your alarm sounds (the first time)

Far too many of us are in the habit of hitting the snooze button ten times over before we eventually haul ourselves out of bed. This means that the very first decision we make in the day is one based on a desire to procrastinate. Rather than giving in to this urge, set a more positive tone for the workday by rising on the first ring. If you get up with purpose, you can trick yourself into feeling more motivated, even when you’re not particularly excited about the day ahead.

 

• Remind yourself of your big-picture goals

It’s easy to get lost in all the little details of the daily grind – the emails you need to send, the meetings you need to attend – and forget about the reasons you’re doing it all in the first place. Kick off your day by actively reciting your longer-term goals and intentions. You can do so mentally while meditating or exercising, or you could write a few lines down in a journal.

 

• Read, watch, or listen to material that inspires you

Routines can quickly start to make life feel a bit, well, routine. Build novelty into your daily schedule by taking a few moments every morning to engage with new content that stimulates and motivates you. Listen to a short podcast episode, watch a TED talk, read a few pages of a novel, or browse your favorite websites, for example. By doing so, you treat yourself to precious me-time while also firing up your mind for the day ahead.

 

• Arrive at work 10 minutes early

Most of us have a few things we like to do when we arrive at our place of work before we actually sit down to tackle the day’s tasks – be it grab a cup of coffee, catch up with colleagues, or throw some cereal into a bowl, for instance. The problem is, all these little preparatory activities can quickly dig into precious work time, and before you know it, an hour has passed and you’ve done nothing particularly productive. To avoid spending most of the day playing catch-up, get to the office (or studio or sports field or dining room table) a few minutes early so you can get settled in and still get going with your formal duties on time.

 

• Fight the urge to open your inbox immediately

If you start your day by reading emails, you’ll likely end up spending the first few hours of the morning dealing with issues that others deem urgent, rather than checking off tasks you personally consider important. So, as difficult as it might be to do, try to avoid the black hole that is your email inbox for a little while – at least until you’ve accomplished a few of the goals you’ve set yourself for that day. If co-workers or family members desperately need you, they can always phone or text you.

 

• Draw up a clear, concrete plan for the day

If you want to squeeze the most out of any given day, integrate a mini-planning session into your morning work routine. Give careful thought to all the things you’d like to accomplish that day and write out a comprehensive to-do list detailing every step you need to take in order to achieve your goals. By drawing up a clear plan of action for your 9-to-5 first thing in the morning (or even the night before), you can up the chances that you’ll stay on track, and you can shift all the important decision-making to the first part of the day when you’re likely feeling most motivated.

 

• Start with the biggest, most daunting task first

In the popular book Eat That Frog!, author Brian Tracy touches on an effective time management strategy drawn from advice given by the great Mark Twain: start each day by tackling the task that you’re most dreading – that one big job that requires the most effort and resolve (in other words, your “frog”). By doing so, you’ll make the rest of the day feel easy by comparison and you’ll get to kick off your morning with a great sense of achievement. The idea is to launch into your frog immediately and to eat away at it with discipline until it’s done, so it’s best to eliminate potential distractions by avoiding emails, closing unnecessary browser tabs, and putting your phone off, or leaving it in another room. Only once you’ve put this one big must-do behind you should you then move on to other less demanding undertakings.

 

If you sit at your desk for too long without significant movement, fatigue will undoubtedly set in. So, when you’ve checked off your frog, get up and do a bit of walking. If you have a meeting to attend, suggest it’s held while on foot (walking meetings are the way forward, after all); if it’s lunchtime, take a stroll to a nearby restaurant or park. By building an opportunity for exercise into the later part of your morning work routine, you’ll wake up your mind and ready it to conquer the afternoon with renewed fervor.

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