It’s never too late to change career

Changing career later on in life isn’t a bad thing, it simply means you have gained new interests and are willing to try a new venture. Whether your new career ambition requires you to attend university or need a certain course to obtain the qualifications required for a role, then don’t let that put you off.

You would be surprised at how many mature students there are at university, with most being in a similar situation to yourself. Finding a change of career will help to broaden your knowledge and you will be able to apply skills learned from your previous job to your new one too.

When it comes to applying for your first job within a new sector, you may feel like you are unlikely to get the job compared to your competitors. Please be rest assured that you will be given the same opportunities as all applicants, and at least you will have applicable skills from your previous job too.

Adding a sign language qualification to your CV

Being able to communicate using sign language is a valuable skill to gain and is not only beneficial to yourself but can help boost your job opportunities too. Learning sign language has been made easier than ever with online courses available at a good rate.
The benefit with online learning is that it provides you with flexibility to your learning and it can fit around your current work schedule. The online learning courses commonly consist of interactive videos, demonstrations and end of module quizzes. You may also have the option to have a one-to-one session with a tutor, usually for an additional cost. By learning online, you can learn at your own speed and can return to a previous lesson should you want to repeat the learning experience.
Once you have completed the online sign language course you should receive a certificate and a recognisable qualification to add to your CV.

The perfect CV

Writing a good CV is always a tough task, however, it is necessary to present yourself properly in order to have a good chance of getting the job that you want.

First of all, your CV has to be simple and clear. Do not try to give too much detail about every single part in the CV because it will probably not be taken into account and can also hide the important information. Use a short and direct language trying to strengthen the most relevant experience.

Moreover, it is important to take care of some aspects of the appearance of your CV. You must include a photograph at the top, but it shouldn’t be too big in comparison to the information. Only use a professional portrait photograph and not your latest social media profile picture.

Include all relevant education and past experiences, do not include anything that doesn’t bring anything to the job role. Saying you ride a horse, will not help with an IT job for instance and will take up space that could be used for more significant information.

Taking part in volunteer work abroad

If you are looking for a break in your job or simply want to expose yourself to something new, you should consider trying volunteer work abroad.

There are many countries in Asia and African that offer a fantastic volunteering experience regardless of your interests. Volunteering can range from teaching, medical care, sports, or building projects. Whichever you choose, you are sure to learn and develop many important skills. Many volunteering schemes will provide accommodation and food for the return of your service.

Volunteering can open up job possibilities when you return home, as many employers like to hire a worker that has dedicated free time to help others. You may also wish to discuss your plans with your current manager to see if they are happy to support you by keeping your job open for you when you return.

Volunteering can be the perfect career break you need to get your head back in the game.

Working your way up the career ladder in retail

If you already have a job in retail , you may be thinking of ways to start progressing. Whilst you tend to start as a customer adviser in many retail jobs, you definitely have the chance to develop your career. You should organise a meeting with your manager, discussing your goals, they will then be able to direct and support you in your career development.

As part of any career progression, you will have to undertake courses, such as health and safety, and leadership courses. The retailing company you work for may even offer to pay for a business or management course for you, this is a great opportunity that you should take time considering.

Before getting a promotion, you may want to start taking on certain roles and responsibilities, such as helping with induction training or becoming the specialist in electronics. This type of forward acting allows your manager to see your dedication to your role and your profession.

Making it through your first job interview

Although obtaining your first job interview is definitely a positive step on the path towards employment, it is important that you remember that it is only the beginning of your journey, rather than your destination.

As a basic rule, ill-fitting or informal clothes such as flip-flops and shorts should never be worn to an interview. You probably know this, but why not take your appearance to the next level with a fine suit, or a shirt and tie combo? If you can look the part and present yourself well, you’ll naturally improve your own self-esteem.

It’s also important know that prepared interviewers like to ask certain questions to test first time/ graduate job candidates. In order to secure the job you are vying for, be prepared to answer the following questions:

  • Relate you learning/academic experience to the position you are interviewing for.
  • Provide specific examples of what you learned and how you can directly apply it to the position you are applying for.
  • What is your greatest failure/ regret?

They will want you to elaborate on each answer so do make sure you provide specific examples where relevant. If you can do this, you’ll be in with a great shout of getting that job you desire.

Selecting a university for your degree studies.

Trying to make a decision on where to attend university can be a very daunting task. Since it is a very important choice, you should take into consideration everything that will make or break your educational experience. Take your time to make a decision as to which schools you would like to apply for. Narrowing it down earlier may reduce stress and avoid paying unnecessary application fees to the university that are not right for you. Find out what your interests are and why, do not be afraid to switch your subject once you have had the opportunity to take general education courses. You may find you like something that you weren’t aware of before as your interests may change once you begin your studies.
You should know how much tuition fees cost, as taking out a student loan may be an option, looking into this early can help to ease your mind on this matter and allow you to focus on what course to take. Also check to see if this particular university offers scholarships.
Visit a career centre and learn about career options for you, make yourself mindful of economic patterns that may influence the occupation market in the upcoming years. A career centre worker may have the capacity to help. In fact, there are sources available on the internet that provide work standpoint information. Again, although your path may be influenced by your degree program, it does not necessarily tie you into a specific career. One great way to set yourself apart to upcoming employers is to showcase your ability to take on exciting academic pursuits through opportunities such as study abroad programs.

Depending on the degree you choose, you may have the option of adding in another subject, this helps to broaden you potential for post-graduate jobs or further education.

Tips on starting evening courses as a step towards a new career

Attending evening classes may not be a ‘walk in the park’ especially when one has a family to look after or a demanding day time job that leaves you exhausted. That said, it is possible to manage your time efficiently and make the most of it, so we’re going to tell you how:

• Come up with a workable daytime activity schedule. The schedule should enable you get some time to rest before getting to class.

• Do not doubt your ability to learn during the late hours. You will adjust to it after sometime.

• You might be one of the senior students, but that should not be a reason for embarrassment. Your goal is greater than the course; besides, evening classes are mostly for the senior.

• Make sure the institution you have chosen to take classes at is not far away from your place of residence, since you are likely to be getting home at night.

• You might want to be taking the classes with a friend. Besides being company they might be of help in case you have to miss a lesson.

Shaking off your nerves before a job interview

Shaking off your nerves before a job interview is the most important thing to do if you want to appear calm, confident and employable. Being nervous will only reduce your chances of getting employed. Therefore, by all possible means, always try to stay confident all the time. It is normal to get nervous, but awkward to let the nervousness take the better part of you. There are things that you can do to combat nervousness before any interview. These include the following;

Make early preparations before the interview- Early preparation is always the key factor that boosts your confidence and at the same time reduces nervousness. Before the interview day, make sure that you collect enough information about the company or institution that you will be interviewing with. Know about the services they offer and the basic history of the company. The most important are to have a brief description of the position you are applying for from the institution’s perspective. Also, ensure that you carry all the required documents with you. Failure of which can result in panic and increased nervousness. You can get interview questions from the internet and critique your responses. The best approach is to let your friend ask you the questions as you give your answers. This will enhance your confidence levels.

Make it a positive experience- This is the time that you should stay positive and let nothing negative cross through your mind. Just view the interview as a learning experience and don’t worry about getting the job. Avoid any quarrels with your family members, spouses, and even friends. Go into the interview with an open mind and a jovial face.

Listen to music- Music will pump you up or put you in a tranquil stress-free state. It will keep you off any destructions and give you the feeling that you are actually the best. Some music lyrics are always inspirational and this can help you stay motivated.

How Instagram can help you get a job

Instagram isn’t a social media network that comes to mind in terms of hunting for jobs, but that does depend on the industry really. Many big firms and small startups include links in their profile to job roles and it’s all about keeping an eye out. Spending time on Instagram and following more of the companies that you love or admire can be great for your career if you’re fortunate to see one of these opportunities at the right time. Of course, it’s not a job-seeking app by any means but having a good looking profile with nice images can help you get a job. Most companies have admitted to looking up applicant’s social media channels and showing them what you’re like via your Instagram feed can work well. Especially if you’re looking for a job in art, photography or design where you’re able to showcase items in your portfolio.