So how do we feel about the minimum wage increase?  We have seen a small increase year on year but it is still below inflation rates.  Here are the figures…

The government will increase the national minimum wage by 1.9% effective 1 October, the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) has announced.

The adult minimum wage (for those aged 21 and above) rises by 12p to £6.31 per hour.

The rates for 18-20-year-olds and 16-17-year-olds respectively rise by 5p to £5.03 an hour, and by 4p to £3.72 an hour.

An extra 3p is added to the apprentice rate, making it £2.68 an hour.

Article from Daily Mail, 27 August 2012

By Sarah Rozenthuler

So you’ve scanned the job market, submitted your application form and been invited to the next stage. Preparing well for an interview will pay dividends. You’ll walk into the room with a confidence and competence that will set you apart from other candidates.

An interview is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to meet your possible future colleagues. They’re not the only ones making decisions – you’ll also be sizing up whether you want to work with them.

An interview is the first real opportunity you’ll have to start to build a relationship with people who may be pivotal to your career success for many years to come.

I’ve coached hundreds of people over the last 10 years to perform at their best during high stakes interactions. I’ve learned that there are some small things that make a big difference.

Here are my top 10 tips.

 1. Create a 'to be' list

Entry is everything so think about how you want to “show up” at the interview. What qualities do you want to demonstrate? Decide in advance how you intend to come across – for example as confident, reliable, dynamic.

Write a 'to be' list and identify ways you can transmit the qualities you want to broadcast. For example, to show confidence, make sure you can talk fluidly about your strengths and successes without bragging.

2. Make it more of a conversation

The more you can make the interview a two-way exchange, the more likely you are to relax. Make the most of this opportunity to gather information, get to know your prospective colleagues and catch a glimpse of the way they do things.

Come to the interview with some insightful questions prepared. Don’t trot out the same old questions that every candidate is likely to ask (such as what the opportunities for promotion are). Read the company’s website and research their performance, whether on the stock market or the league tables, so that your lines of inquiry are on point.

3. Be comfortable talking about money

Even if the job comes with an advertised salary, you may be asked what your salary expectations are. Anticipate this question and, off-line, practise saying your answer out loud. If you want to be paid more than the ad suggests, be prepared to give your reasons as you’ll need to justify your request.

Do some market research and find out what the going rates are. Check out how much equivalent jobs at other organisations pay by looking at job adverts or online salary surveys. Having this data at your fingertips will increase your confidence at striking a deal that feels good to you. It will also help you to come up with an original response to that interview classic – “Why do you want to work for us?”

4. Know your strengths

Be prepared to articulate your 'unique selling points'. Give this question serious consideration. Think about your own combination of strengths – for example, are you that rare individual who is creative, proactive and reliable.

Before you go to the interview, complete this sentence, 'I am someone who…' Write down your answer and reflect on your response. Think about feedback you’ve had from friends, family and other people who have affirmed your sense of who you are.

5. Be prepared to talk about your weaknesses

Anticipate being asked about your shortcomings. This is a sensitive subject that needs a careful response. Don’t be insincere, such as saying you're a perfectionist if you’re not.

Be honest about your areas of development. If attention to detail is not your strong suit, say so and then indicate how you plan to address this. For example, you could say that at times you might ask a colleague to check over a critical document to make sure that you’ve attended to all the detail.

6. Value the non-verbals

When you talk face-to-face, it’s not just about the words you use. We’re social animals so body language, eye gaze and gestures all play their part. If you find it hard to look someone in the eye, you risk being judged as untrustworthy or as having something to hide.

Sit in an upright posture without leaning forward - you don’t want to come across as a people pleaser. Do your best to sit still without fidgeting as this will make you look nervous. Hold the other person’s eye gaze until just before they look away to send the message that you can hold your own without being aggressive.

7. Tailor how much you talk

It’s easy to fall into the trap of talking too much during an interview. Sometimes a question needs only a short response. Develop the ability to be concise.

If a longer response is needed, you could structure your answer by indicating, for example, that there are three points to consider. Help the other person to follow what you say by using some signposting such as 'firstly..', 'secondly…' and 'finally…'.

Varying the length of your input will help to make the interview more of a conversation. Listen carefully to what the interviewer has to say and, if needs be, check your understanding before answering.

8. Have a get-out line

Think through how you’ll respond to a question you don’t know the answer to. Instead of fudging it, have something prepared. You could say, for example, 'Please can we come back to that question as I’d like a little more time to gather my thoughts?'

Do your best to stay composed. If you suddenly freeze, take a couple of deep breaths and ask them to repeat the question.

9. Ask for feedback

Towards the end of the interview, say that you’re keen to get some feedback on how you did (if this hasn’t been offered). Find out how who to follow up with and get their contact details. Do this in a respectful way so that you come across as keen to learn without being pushy.

10. Cultivate an attitude of 'You win some, you lose some'

Have the intention to get the job without having the expectation that you will. Go into the interview with some degree of humility - arrogance is a big turn off for any employer.

Decide ahead of time that you’ll accept the outcome, whether you ‘re successful or not. If you get turned down, be philosophical and resolve to reap the benefits of the experience next time you’re faced with an interview. If you do get offered the job – congratulations! – time to go out and celebrate!

Article from www.recruiter.co.uk      21 August 2012

Over 2 in 3 (69%) of professionals regularly de-tag themselves from pictures and remove comments from their Facebook profile because they could be detrimental to their careers.

This is according to a recent global survey of more than 3,500 professionals by Robert Walters, the international recruitment consultancy.

However, 21% felt that what went up on Facebook would not impact on their careers, while the remaining 10% say they have never considered the question.

Chris Hickey, managing director of recruitment at Robert Walters, says: “We would advise those who currently are not maintaining their profiles on social networking sites from a professional perspective to start doing so.  Ultimately, your profiles on these sites represent you and can easily be found by anyone running a few online searches.”

Doesn’t time fly when you are having fun??  Its been a year since we moved to Fore Street and all is continuing to go well.  The offices are bigger and on the ground floor which has made us more noticeable and accessible.  The building has lots of character with exposed beams, open fire place and large wine cellar – not in working order unfortunately. 

Fore Street has proved to be a bit of a revelation to us all.  It is becoming the main thoroughfare linking the waterfront to the town centre and features many independents such as coffee shops, clothing stores, beauty salons and record shops which makes a welcome change from the uniform offerings on the high street.  It was a big move for us from Queen Street to Fore Street but I feel the upheaval was worth it.  We moved after 20 years as we felt stifled, cramped and stuck in a rut.  These are some of the same reasons that job seekers give for looking for alternative employment and although it felt strange at first I feel the change has had a positive effect on us all. 

We have finally made the big move to Fore Street and are so pleased with the new office.  Phil in Accounts has a window seat in his room which is a favourite spot of Dex’s for some sunbathing.  The main offices are on the ground floor so we can watch the world go by, and the world can watch us eating breakfast, elevenses, lunch, high tea and, sometimes, supper.  It does seem a bit strange to be in a different office after 20 years but Fore Street already feels like home and we have had lots of people popping by to check out the new pad and have a glass of bubbly.  Please come and see us soon!

We are pleased to be supporting the exciting community project that is the Never Ending Mural.  Phase 1 is near to completion on the Ipswich Waterfront and it's a brilliant eye catching work of art developed by artist John D Edwards and the St Matthews Youth Group.  Follow the link below to read about how we're involved.

http://www.ipswich.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=1334&pageNumber=10

Find A Job has recently welcomed a new member to the team – a fox red Labrador going by the name of Dex Dexter.  He is 13 weeks old so is still learning the ropes regarding what is his to chew but, on the whole, the experience of having a dog at work has been a positive one.  Research has shown that a dog in the office is one of the best ways of beating stress at work.  Other benefits include reduced nerves, indigestion, headaches, coughs and tiredness.  Usually all common ailments at around 3pm in the FAJ office!  Although Dex has only been with us for a few weeks he has made himself at home and ingratiated himself with his colleagues by only eating his own food and not having any nasty accidents.  Let's hope his exemplary behaviour and the positive vibe continues!

Introducing Find A Job’s newest recruit – Dex Dexter

Dex is joining the Find A Job team in May.  During his brief career he has spent much of his time on a farm in Hasketon, establishing a pecking order with his many brothers and sisters.  Find A Job’s Director, Faye Stephenson, says ‘I am delighted to welcome Dex Dexter to our team.  Although he does not have much experience in recruitment he has already shown the ability to charm anyone who has had the opportunity to cuddle him.’ 

So pleased (and relieved!) that Find A Job has passed the REC inspection carried out on Tuesday 1 March.  Although we were relatively confident that we were doing things properly it was still pretty nerve wracking when the inspector went through our contracts, work seekers documents and files with a fine tooth comb and asked plenty of questions.  It is second nature to us to do everything ‘by the book’ and so we were passed on site with flying colours!  Delighted that our ethical, honest and meticulous approach has received the official seal of approval!