Tuesday January 31, 2012 at 8:15am
So much to do that there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day? At Gemini Forces we definitely understand the importance of effective time management, both while looking for a post Military job and once you’ve landed your first role since leaving the Armed Forces.
The first step to managing your time is prioritising the long list of activities you want to try and squeeze into your week and make sure doing something for yourself is at the top of that list.
You are not going to come across well in interviews for jobs if you are stressed and unhappy.
Next you need to have a critical look at the list, which is probably way too long to be realistic.
Ask yourself honestly what you can genuinely handle and sacrifice a few of the tasks which you have put a low priority against.
Now make promises to yourself, and keep them. You’ve set yourself your list so see it through and you’ll achieve everything you wanted to, there’s nothing better than a sense of accomplishment at the end of the week!
Tuesday January 24, 2012 at 9:31am
‘Do you have any questions for us?’ the predictable question at the end of any job interview, yet a stumbling block for most inexperienced or seasoned interviewees alike. Whether you ask questions at this point or not has a huge influence on the overall impression you make on recruiters and hiring managers.
As part of your interview preparation you should sit down and think of questions that you could ask at this point, they can be anything, as long as they are relevant of course. Some good examples are progression, company culture, responsibility, good role models and such like. Take a pen and paper into the interview too for making notes and if you happen to think of a question during the process jot it down to ask at the end.
Another good time to ask questions is when following up on the interview with a thank you letter or email. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions in these that you think of after the interview, in fact it’s better if you do and makes it more likely for the recruiter to take the time to reply to you. Ask constructive questions and you will instantly seem more interested and switched on.
Wednesday January 18, 2012 at 9:16am
With the competitiveness of today’s job market the first impression you give to potential recruiters is of the upmost importance. This first impression is of course your CV / covering letter. With more and more applications being received by companies it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to distinguish between applicants.
Recently, Toyota received over 2000 applications for their recruitment drive for 500 positions, meaning eliminating a lot of people on paper, but as always there are fears of missing hidden talent due to this process.
Ensure your CV is neat and tidy, on quality paper and avoids needless information. Keep it punchy and 2 pages maximum if possible. Use your time wisely; experience, and on the job training are just as important as academic qualifications so get involved in as much as possible, so that your CV stands out from the crowd.
Tuesday January 10, 2012 at 7:37am
Looking for your first post military job can be a busy and confusing time. With so much going on it’s easy to make mistakes and overlook certain areas.
Always remember to be organised with your search, knowing who you want to apply to and why will help you write a better, tailored CV and covering letter. Remember to check your references first, ensure the person is happy to provide a reference and a good one too. Also do not use a work email; using your employers resources for personal reasons may not impress potential recruiters.
Limiting your job options is also a common mistake. It is good to have focus when it comes to your job search, but remain open minded about opportunities rather than only considering one specific role. Don’t write off temporary roles either, they provide you with good commercial experience and can often lead to a permanent role within the company.
Finally, send a thank you note. Most people don’t think about this, which is why you should and be sure to stand out from the crowd.
Wednesday January 4, 2012 at 8:20am
The current job market is very competitive, with many job seekers fighting to be seen by recruiters / employers. Networking events are a great way to see and be seen by important contacts within companies, so make use of them.
There are a few things to remember at networking events, whether they are small events or large career fairs. Think of them as a way to get to know the employers, showing interest and asking for advice in a friendly, professional manner will make them more willing to help you.
Be confident, directly introduce yourself and open with a question to get the juices flowing. Always mind your appearance too; you want to appear smart and professional so save the jeans and polo shirts for the comfort of your own living room.
There are a lot of Expo’s and career fairs throughout the year, such as British Forces Resettlement Services next Career Transition Event in Catterick on the 29th March, which a large selection of employers will attend. These are a great way to network with like minded people. At events it can be beneficial to take business cards with you to give out, rather than a CV which may not get read.
The best thing to do though is get a business card from the employers so that YOU can take control and initiate contact, a sure fire way to ensure you are remembered.
Friday December 30, 2011 at 10:14am
What wouldn’t you change about your life?
It’s definitely a question which provokes a lot of thought and even more analysis over what would be an acceptable answer.
However, if we were to ask what you would change about your life we bet you could think of a number of different things instantly and wouldn’t hesitate to tell us them all. Why is this?
Our training and development within the Forces is a big part of the reasoning behind this. We were trained to be modest and not boast about our achievements. As much as these are brilliant traits to have, it’s time to stop eating so much humble pie whilst searching and interviewing for your next career.
Think about everything you have been involved in and embrace it, there is a difference between being outrageously self-centred and merely stating the positive impact you have had whilst being in the Military and the communities you may have helped.
Everyone has done something worth discussing so use your experiences to set yourself apart and be proud of what you have achieved, recruiters / employers will not be impressed by someone who cannot recognise the value they can and have contributed both within and outside of employment.
Good luck to all those seeking new opportunities, and may I take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and prosperous New Year!
Tuesday December 20, 2011 at 8:34am
It’s that time of year with Christmas just a number of days away…..I ask you to remember the vulnerable and disabled ex servicemen and women that are suffering loneliness, depression and/or other mental health issues. I am not only referring to our very recent conflicts that are foremost in people’s minds, but all areas of operations our Forces have served.
So check on your elderly neighbour, give a former colleague a call, it only takes a moment, but can make a dramatic difference to their situation.
As we tuck into our festive meals, there are going to be hundreds, potentially more, ex-military personnel homeless in the streets of London alone, and if we look at the demographic picture throughout the UK, that worrying number should be concerning us all.
The fantastic work the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation do for these VALUED members of our society, who are facing problems many of us would not be able to comprehend, need to be highlighted to us all.
But, we must not forget the other charities that are working tirelessly, often thanklessly, reaching out to these vulnerable people, providing food, shelter, support and hopefully a route out of their desperate situations.
ThamesReach (Out on the streets 24/7 365 with their volunteers)
Crisis (Again, out on the streets 24/7 365 with their volunteers)
Please take a moment to visit their websites and see how you can help the work they all do, and remember whatever form of contribution you can provide, it will make a difference to an ex-military member(s) that have struggled with the aftermath of their service career.
We are not all so strong…..
Monday December 12, 2011 at 7:49am
We know what it’s like, many jobs and applications being fired in all directions. But are you getting complacent? You may be applying to loads of vacancies but don’t forget that many other people are doing the same.
Keep a list of who you have applied to and what job was with whom; have a folder of the job specifications too. Having this knowledge to hand when the phone goes will save you having to ask what the job was, help you be prepared and make you seem super keen on that role.
Quality over quantity really does ring true; spend as much time on an application form as needed to make it perfect. Tailor each cover letter and CV ensuring no hints of different applications remain. Stating a different company name, the wrong job title/reference or irrelevant skills will negatively affect your chances of an interview. Also, read a job specification thoroughly for the name of the person you are applying to, use it and make sure you spell it right, getting this wrong doesn’t set a good impression of your attention to detail.
Tuesday December 6, 2011 at 8:00am
We are firm believers of not pestering potential recruiters / employers, but there is a simple method you can use to follow up after your post military job interview, which should be used within a day of your interview.
A simple thank you email can be great for getting yourself noticed and ensuring you are remembered but don’t forget to keep it personalised and short. Use a maximum of three paragraphs, each under 4 sentences.
One to thank them and reiterate interest, another to briefly state strengths that ensure your ability to excel in the role and a third to communicate anything missed in the interview, and end by saying you look forward to hearing from them within a certain time scale and proof read to make sure names and punctuality are perfect and you are nothing but positive throughout.
Sending a letter through the post can be a great touch instead of an email and has more chance of being read. Take time over your handwriting and invest in some quality paper for an all out gesture showing prospective employers you value their opinion and have great attention to detail.
Have you got a top post interview tip? Let’s share our experiences and help our fellow members…..
Wednesday November 9, 2011 at 10:24am
Great News! BFRS is now officially 'not for profit', they have now been officialy converted and approved as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and it is the Armed Forces Community that they will serve, but what does it actually mean.
Well, in a 'nutshell' it means that the Directors and shareholders do not benefit from any money that comes into the company, in fact any surplus money goes back into the company to improve the services that are currently being provided and enables them to add additional services that will benefit the Armed Forces Community.
Coming from a forces background I know that a lot of the readers of this BLOG are naturally cynical and will look for the hidden agenda, well I can honestly say, there isn't one!
I'm they look forward to reading your comments, which will give them the opportunity to address any doubts and concerns.