Improve your career prospects with our popular career management articles. Topics include:
Composing your CV and conducting your job search
Creating a positive impression to potential employers begins with your CV. This document is the foundation on which an employer’s first impressions will be based, so it is important to take the time to make sure that it accurately represents you - your qualifications, your experience and your skills...more.
As with CV writing, there are few firm rules for producing a cover letter, only suggestions and guidelines. Despite a range of different suggestions and advice for composing one, one thing that is agreed upon universally is that without a good quality cover letter as an accompaniment to your CV, the impact of your application can be severely limited...more.
Before you enter into the job search you need to clarify exactly what it is you are looking for and make a clear plan of action so you employ the right moves. In order to succeed there are some fundamental techniques you can use to set you on the right path...more.
Feedback: constructive criticism
The importance of interview feedback is often overlooked by candidates conducting a job search and can be an effective learning curve for those who request this advice. As long as feedback is given in a non-judgmental and appropriate way, it can provide valuable tips for your professional development...more.
Going contract
Job satisfaction is reliant upon different factors for different people. In the first instance, it might appear as though establishing yourself within a company, forming close working relationships with colleagues and receiving promotional opportunities as part of your career progression are more readily achievable as a permanent employee. However, all of these things can be accomplished as a contractor, and your career progression could be hindered if such factors are preventing you from considering a move into contract work...more.
Handling counter offers
You have successfully created interest from an employer with your CV, impressed them during interviews and negotiated a salary and benefits package that reflects your capabilities. You have received written confirmation of a job offer and have handed in your letter of resignation to your current employer...more.
Identifying and selling your soft skills
Has your professional training kept you up to date with the skills you need as you progress through your career? You may have undertaken lots of technical training and be at the forefront of industry issues and developments, but highly successful professional engineers are not only technically aware, they possess ‘soft’ skills, which are becoming increasingly sought after within the engineering profession...more.
Interviews
Preparation is fundamental to a successful interview, so it is important that you consider what qualities will improve your chances of getting the position you want and what the employer will be looking for in their ideal candidate...more.
Interviews aren’t necessarily about perfecting your handshake or making sure you are well presented. There are many instances in which employers use telephone interviews before giving candidates the chance to prove themselves face-to-face...more.
The first part of the interview is crucial and can set the mood for the meeting on a positive or a negative. It is often suggested that a hiring decision can be made within the first five minutes of the interview...more.
Lifelong career management
A rewarding career doesn’t just happen. You need to be committed to it and manage it carefully. Whether you have just started working or you have reached managerial level, keeping your career on track is crucial...more.
We all know the type of situation that springs to mind when someone mentions “networking” -an assortment of suited individuals gathering together to swap business cards, right? ...more.
Without an accurate appreciation of your employment value and the confidence to apply yourself in order to achieve this, you could find yourself being paid comparably less than other similarly qualified individuals...more.
Negotiating salaries and benefits
As a graduate you may have a careers library at University where you can source advice on interviews, but negotiation skills fall largely into the experience-only category. By understanding the process of negotiation a little more you can build your confidence in this area and develop your approach...more.
Salary negotiations and benefits for a mid-level engineer are a hot bed of opportunity as you have established some relevant experience alongside knowledge of a working environment. You may even have discovered you would like to re-direct your training and take an alternative career path...more.
At senior level, understanding the negotiation process becomes even more important to ensure you achieve a salary reflective of your skills and experience, and secure a benefits package that offers you the right investment and support...more.
Working abroad
For UK chemical engineers, the worldwide market is predominantly focused on the oil & gas and petrochemical industries with comparative consistent demand for engineers with both on and offshore experience...more.
Working in the UK
NES immigration advisers can assess the individual circumstances of non-UK applicants in order to provide advice on the best route to take to gain authorisation to work in the UK...more.
Working with a recruitment agency
Recruitment agencies are independent companies that specialise in matching the skills and experience of candidates with the hiring requirements of organisations...more.
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