The top companies hiring in December 2013

The top companies hiring in December 2013 by Michael Cheary December: a month synonymous with carollers, cards, Christmas trees and presents.And what better present than the perfect new job?With the Christmas rush gathering momentum, applying for a new job may seem like the furthest thing from our minds, but its actually a great time of year to stand out from the crowd. Think companies have stopped hiring for the holidays? Think again. With over 160,000 jobs available on reed.co.uk, it really could be the most wonderful time of the working year.If youre not sure where to start, here are some of the top companies hiring this month on reed.co.uk:ClintonsCant count the Christmas hours spent in card shops? Why not work for one?With over 400 stores located across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, Clintons is one of the UKs leading retailers of cards, gifts, wrapping paper and more.They are currently looking for Store Managers, Assistant Managers and Supervisors with excellent customer service skills to becom e part of their growing team. Think youve got what it takes? Apply today.N.B. Staff receive a 40% discount on all products. Definitely a reason to celebrate (especially applicable to those with large families). Locations: Throughout the UKView all jobs with Clintons now HarrodsIf youre looking for a premium career in retail, look no further.The famous store occupies a five acre site, and its one million square feet selling space is made up of over 330 individual departments, making it not only the biggest store in the UK, but also the biggest department store in Europe.With over 12,000 staff currently employed, recruitment is always ongoing for Harrods, and available roles range from Sales Associates and Personal Shoppers through to Commis Chefs and Interior Designers.Finally, Omnia Omnibus Ubique (All Things for All People, Everywhere) is their motto. Always handy to remember when it comes to interview time.Locations: LondonView all jobs with Harrods now SantanderServing some 25 mi llion customers, Santander is one of the UKs leading personal financial services companies. And working for such a reputable company certainly has its perks.They offer vocational training, excellent opportunities for career development and a full pension scheme. Other benefits include 25 paid holiday days and discounts at some of the biggest high street brands.And having recently been voted as one of the Top Employers in the UK, theres never been a better time to work for them.Locations: Throughout the UK.View all jobs with Santander now SkanskaWho said Christmas is all about retail? Job opportunities for the Construction Property sector have risen steadily in 2013, and December is no exception.Skanska is one of the worlds leading construction groups, and theyre looking for ambitious individuals to help drive their business to success in 2014. If constructions not your thing, dont worry. Theyre also recruiting in the Human Resources, Admin Secretarial and Engineering sectors.Start building your career today (N.B. Construction-based puns optional).Locations: Throughout the UK.View all jobs with Skanska now SuperdrugNeed to rejuvenate and reinvigorate your career? Why not work for the one of the largest health and beauty chains in the UK?Superdrug is searching for staff in a number locations across the country to help serve the 4.5 million customers that come through their doors each week (across 900 stores, dont panic).Successful applicants will not only receive a competitive salary, they will also be treated to a rewards and benefits package that recognises their talent and contribution.So, if you want to become part of the worlds largest health and beauty retailer, take another lookLocations: Throughout the UK.View all jobs with Superdrug now Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to ou r service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features

Are You Looking to Get Your Resume Written?

Are You Looking to Get Your Resume Written?If you are running a business and need to send out a resume, then there are many Phoenix resume writing services that can help you. Phoenix and surrounding areas offer plenty of advantages for those who want to make a better impression on their future employers.Anyone who is thinking about trying to get a professional job or just is trying to get their career started can benefit from the professional job search process. They know the importance of being able to establish an identity and getting the proper information to be able to present themselves as the best person for the job. The more efforts you put into it, the better you will feel about yourself. People who put effort into their professional careers will typically find that they are the more successful at finding the jobs that they need.Remember that just because you work for someone else doesn't mean that you can afford to be sloppy with your resume. Professional resume writing serv ices will do all the legwork for you and put your information in the correct spots. You will be able to fill in gaps that your formal application may leave behind and you will have more freedom to build up your experience and education. Having information filled in that is not perfectly accurate, will show that you aren't responsible enough to put together a professional resume. This means that you will have a hard time getting a job, which is definitely not what you want.You don't have to hire a service in Phoenix to do this part of the process. You can create a good resume on your own. You can learn how to format your own document so that it looks and feels professional and is an accurate reflection of your skills and experience.The main advantage to hiring a service to do your resume writing for you is that you will save a lot of time and money. Instead of spending time on your own to create a nice-looking document, you will be working with a professional that understands the nee ds of your company and that has been trained to do a good job. They know where to put the information and how to edit it so that it has as much impact as possible.It is also helpful to know that you will get a professional opinion on your personal appearance. A professional can tell you how your writing style should be to appear professional. For instance, if you want to look formal and polished, then you should be writing in this manner.Being able to get professional assistance when it comes to getting your resume written and sent out is a great idea. As long as you get professional advice, you will always be working with a professional. You won't have to worry about grammar or spelling mistakes, you won't have to worry about the tone of your message, and you won't have to worry about making sure that everything is properly formatted and structured.Resume writing services are available for any reason and for any type of project. Whether you are just trying to start a new career or you are looking to improve your current position, professional services are the way to go.

Should you ever take a job you hate

Should you ever take a job you hate I’m picky. I admit it. I’m picky about everything â€" friends, hair, jewelry, and boys; and yes, I am picky about employment even in this employer’s market.  Now that I work in two companies that I am happy to work at, I can say it paid off. But it certainly hasn’t been a walk in the park. My last post was about the Utter Madness that was my life in February and March. Part of the madness was accepting a job I knew that I would be miserable at (and rescinding the offer within a week). But at the time, I felt it was my only option, and I took it. During the very short time, I worked there, (actually I didn’t really work there as I rescinded my offer during training), I realized how awful it would be to come and spend 40 hours there. The certainty of financial security wasn’t enough for me. In addition to all the anxiety I had about the uncertainties of my life, the anxiety I had about the position was pretty apparent. Still, that wasn’t the main reason I left (so soon). Ultimately, the job would have involved compromising principles that I hold very dear â€" honesty and sincerity. I am no angel nor am I a saint, and I do wrong every day. But to be in an environment where forthrightness was not only NOT valued but was (silently) discouraged was more than I was willing to take. It’s really that simple. And that above all else, is what I knew I would hate about the job. I left with the knowledge that my income at our start-up might barely allow me to break-even, and that would be on a good month. But I left with a restoration of peace of mind, which as they say, has no $ sign. Sure enough everything worked out and I got another position at a small company that I was perfect for.   This whole experience put some things in perspective because I have had jobs I hated, (if only during my college years) and I know many people who hate their jobs. So this is my view on when it’s okay to take (or stay in a job you hate) and when you should consider other options: Survival. Sometimes some people have to do what they have to do. That said, I have seen people go into depression and worse because of a job and a certain standard of life they want. At that point, I have to say it’s time to consider other options. Even if it means getting a job that is of “lower prestige.” You’ve heard the proverb: health is better than wealth (and especially mental and emotional well-being). Stepping stone. Usually this means that taking or continuing in this position is short-term, whatever short-term might mean in your field. If you can suck it up, I am all for taking a position that will eventually allow you to be where you want to be. Still, if something compromises your values and principles, how willing should you be to remain even if it is a stepping stone? The truth is I was wracking my brain for a third reason but I couldn’t think of any. Can you? What are some other reasons to stay in a job you hate? I know that everyone grows up differently and people have a variety of attitudes towards work. Well, I watched my parents go to their jobs every day and love it, so that has affected the way I see what work is. I think if I am to work at a place long-term, I have to love what I do, and I have to believe I can make a difference. Hard work is something that I have never been afraid of but in the final analysis, I will be honest: I cannot work hard for something I don’t believe in and at a place I don’t respect. To some, work is a necessary evil and that’s fine. But to me, work is a blessing, and a reason to utilize God-given gifts for your fellow men and women.  That said, what does work mean to you?

The Internet Holds Your Personal Brands Permanent Record - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The Internet Holds Your Personal Brands Permanent Record - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Your brand cannot hide from Google (The Cover Story of Personal Branding Magazine last month). Every move you make online is kept in search engines and the only ones that can be removed are those that you create yourself. Your blog, website, LinkedIn profile, Facebook profile, Twitter profile, Ning profile and a few others that rank high are in your control because you can take them down and they will be tossed out of Google (aka there will be no url for the crawlers). You CANT remove information that others post about you, even if its your own work that has been cited in a blog, published in an online resource or one of your comments from another blog. Of course, in certain situations you can ask an author to remove your name or article, but that doesnt always work, especially in a content driven World Content Web. So where does this all go? When someone searches your name in a search engine, any website that lists your name will be queued up in the search, based on how well the site is optimized. Your goal is to have everything about you support your overall personal brand. You dont want negative publicity, but you do want a lot of hits for your name, on the top resources. This doesnt always happen and when you become a micro-celebrity of sorts, your goal may change. Your new goal will be having the first 3 pages speak highly of you or be informative in some form or another. Everything else will remain, in what I call your Personal Brands Permanent Record. It is the virtual and transparent you kept for life. If you compare this to the longevity of a blog, think of it as a journal. A journal that is kept in conjunction with how people feel about you, and how you feel about yourself. Remember that self-impression = perception (listen to my Boston College talk on this) when deciding and capitali zing on your brand. Example: Heidi Fleiss In the early 1990s Heidi Fleiss held and created some of Hollywoods most coveted and (envied) sexual secrets. Her knowledge and understanding of the male and female psyche was gained by becoming the most well-know Madam of all time. Her rise and fall captivated the world and sent shivers down the spine of all who participated and pardoned within her empire. After the smoke had cleared both the state and federal jury trials, Heidi served three years in Federal prison for tax evasion. Heidi, now lives in Crystal, Nevada where she is opening Heidis Stud Farm, The first luxury brothel where women can pick and choose the man of their dreams. The green means a positive brand ranking, while the gray means neutral and red means negative. Note: I had to edit her results because the images that showed up first were inappropriate for this blog. Results Analyzed 1: Her official website. 2: Her wikipedia entry comes off clean in Google, just like all other terms, but if you read it, you will quickly pick up on the fact that shes been arrested for illegal possession of drugs and driving under the influence. 3: Heidi Fleiss grabbed headlines in the 1990s after she was arrested for running a high-priced prostitution ring serving Tinseltowns rich and famous. Now, the former Hollywood Madam is capitalizing on her notoriety legally. 4: This is her new project where women can buy the men of their dreams. Its legal in the state where shes doing it, but its still absurd. 5: This one is tricky because it reviews her entire life, which is mostly about her crime spree. Im leaning more to negative publicity for her brand on this one. 71: She was arrested on prescription drug possession charges and her mug shot photo was not a pretty picture. 72: Same as 71. 73: Same as 2. 74: When a personal brand aligns themself with a bad brand, it hurts their image as well. In this case its the ear bitting Mike Tyson. Conclusion: Unless someone really wants to do a full throttle background check on your brand, they will not go past the first few pages. That is not to say that the rest is not fair game. Protect your brand by making the right moves over the duration of your life. Perform self-checks so you can be prepared and react. Note: Your permanent record in this way is also a good thing because you can reflect on your life when you are older.

Writing an Email With Resume Attached

Writing an Email With Resume AttachedWriting an email with resume attached is a really difficult task, right? What if you are asked to write a resume in an email? This is a question that many people are afraid to ask because it might be too awkward.So how do you start writing an email with resume attached? Before even asking this question, I would suggest that you spend a bit of time and reflect on your personality. What would make you happy?Then do what you can to create the perfect letter of application for the company you are applying for. Create a paragraph about yourself and how well you know the company and the job description. How are you going to bring the quality of work to the table? The short version of this is: I know the company and what is expected of me, and I can prove that I can meet their expectations.This will help you land the job faster, because it will make your short paragraphs stand out and grab the attention of the reader. The reader wants to learn more so th ey will click through your resume in order to learn more.Writing an email with resume attached should start with a cover letter and body. Think about the person who is reading your resume and what his goals are. If your goal is to land the job, the job will have to include skills that can benefit the company you are applying for. The goal of the writing should be to give an overview of your qualifications and the things that you can bring to the table.In the body of the letter, you can include background information. If you have years of experience with the company or if you were a member of their team for a long period of time, this is great. You can also include a little background about yourself if you are a member of their organization.If you have something to say to them in the body of the letter, give a good example of it. Saying how excited you are about working with them and what is it you can do for them.Once the body and the cover letter are finished, add a final touch wit h your resume. Don't try to skip over this step or you will just lose the chance of getting hired. Write down all your achievements, any certifications that they may require and any other information that they might ask for.

Woohoo - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Woohoo - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog WOW! I just went over the feedback from our last 100 client gigs (speeches, workshops, etc). The average rating is 4,8 out of 5. Thats pretty phenomenal :o) We also ask them how likely they are on a scale of 1-10 to recommend us to other companies. 94 out of 100 give us an 8 or higher! If you know about Net Promoter Score, that means our NPS is 73. We rock :o) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

How to Handle the Job Search Salary Dance

How to Handle the Job Search Salary Dance How to Handle the Job Search Salary Dance Whats the best way to deal with the salary dance when interviewing for a job? A client recently asked me a series of questions: When I ask what a job pays, and I usually get a vague answer that includes a wide range of numbers. Then the interviewer asks what my salary requirements are, and I dont know what to say. I dont want to say too high of a number because Im afraid theyll write me off immediately, but I also dont want to leave money on the table. Oh, the dreaded money dance. Let’s help you make it less dreaded and more advantageous. There are two main scenarios: One where they are asking for your current salary AND your ‘required’ salary. Two, where you want to ask them money-based questions. Scenario #1: They are asking you about money. Bottom line: you need to answer your recent income question honestly and clearly. They can find out or ask you for W-2s later, so there is no point in dancing. If you received a bonus in your prior position, then you can separate base and bonus and give a range of your bonus potential. Example: “My base was $60,000 but my bonus could range from 20% to 60% based on performance.” Now, when they ask you what your expected income is, you take the prior answer and justify some growth. One way is in percentages. “In this position, I would be increasing my scope of responsibility so I would value a 10-20% increase from my prior earnings.” However, if you are concerned about saying anything at all (out-pricing yourself), you can say “Ms. Jones, I am confident that your financial offer will be market competitive and thank you for asking.” Smile and stop talking. A great way to deflect is to add “I do have a question for you; what are the top 3 metrics of success for this position?” Scenario #2: You want to ask them about money. This one is simple. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever raise money when you are interviewing. There is little goodness that can come out of it, often the interviewer doesn’t know, and it can turn off an interviewers. Get the offer in hand! Then you can negotiate and choose if this is an offer you want to accept. Don’t ask about benefits, allowances, bonuses, anything compensation-related. Job-seekers, regardless if you are interviewing within your own company or externally, put your burning money questions off to the side. Focus more on positioning yourself as the best candidate for them. It’s not about you!