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How to make a temporary job a permanent one

Make a temp job a permanent one in Wiltshire

Temporary employment has seen quite an increase in the last couple of years. Employers in various industries are hiring temp workers to fill positions for a few days, weeks or months at a time. Businesses are using recruitment agencies to help them when the demand for staff is higher (holiday, sickness or peak periods cover) or when they need someone with a specific skill set. It gives them the flexibility as to when and for how long they need the temporary workers for. 

Temporary assignments have plenty of benefits too – they offer a great way to develop your current skills, supplement your income while looking for a different position, gain experience in a completely new field or fill in the gap between other endeavours without committing to a permanent contract.

So, how exactly do you turn a temporary job into a permanent one?

  1. Reliability at 110%One of the most important attributes employers are looking for is reliability.Approach your placement as if you are a permanent employee by keeping the standard of your work and enthusiasm levels high. Make sure you arrive on time, do the tasks to the best of your ability and show that you can be trusted. This will boost up your chances when the opportunity for a permanent position arises.
  2. Build relationshipsBecoming a familiar face is part of any role, but particularly important when you are looking for a new role. Building and maintaining relationships with everyone you interact with can pay off in the long run, as well as give you an insight into company movements.As a temporary worker make sure you observe the environment and develop understanding of company rules and policies. Your colleagues can help you settle in, make you feel more comfortable and answer some of your questions. 
  3. Make yourself clear 

If you’re interested in a permanent position, speak with your consultant in a recruitment agency. They may already be aware that the company is recruiting for permanent staff and they would be happy to put your forward for the position.

Second person to speak to would be your manager or supervisor. If you’re working on temporary basis your manager may not realise that you would like to join the company on full-time, permanent basis. Make sure your boss knows how happy you are to be working here, and that you’d be open to making this a longer-term opportunity.

Be cautious, though, of asking for the world too early or too often, as this may place a strain on your working relationship. Patience is the key!

Take control and start turning yourself into the employee they won’t be able to survive without. By asking for extra responsibilities at work, after all if your boss will need to re-train other staff to fill your role once your contract ends they may consider offering you a longer term position instead.

There may not be a possibility for you to become a permanent member straight away, but stay positive and patient.

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Where to start with a career change.

Job hunting in December in Wiltshire

Switching jobs is a difficult decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It could majorly change your lifestyle and routine – but may also be the most rewarding thing you do.

There are plenty of reasons why people change careers – you may have reached your limits, you would like to gain experience in another field or perhaps you would like to be your own boss. Whatever the reason is first thing you need to do is think whether you actually need a career change or you just need a new job. 

Before you make a career change, here are steps you can take to increase your chances of success:

1. Think about your talents and interests.

First thing to do is to evaluate yourself – your skills, values and personality – BE HONEST. Ask yourself some questions and note the answers down, these will be useful when looking at potential new careers.  Some questions will include: 

  • What am I good at? What are my strengths?
  • What skills and qualifications do I have that can help me with this new career path?
  • What are my interests, could I connect them with my new career?You may be thinking that you want a complete change, away from everything, but be sensible. Think about other roles or jobs where you can use the knowledge, skills and capabilities that you have built up. 

2. Research

Now think about jobs. What occupations require your talents?

Search the Internet. Try terms in such as job skills, career skills or skills assessment to find the most suitable one for you and your background. For each occupation on your list, you will want to look at the job description, educational and other requirements

Narrow the list to a few possible careers — no more than three or four. Keep changing your list until you feel confident that you’d love a job in those fields and that you would do it well. 

3. Choosing the right career

Narrow your choices to one career and focus completely on that one.

You now need to gather more in-depth information. Your best source of this information are people who have first-hand knowledge of the occupations you’re interested in. Identify who they are and conduct informational interviews with them if possible. If you don’t know anyone personally, LinkedIn can be a great resource. You can find people with your desired job title and connect and reach out to them in regards to your interest in their field.

Do you need more training? Check out vocational schools and colleges in your area. Learn about specific training and what job placement services they offer. Ask about classes you can take while still employed. Night and weekend programs are often available.

4. Take action

When you have the skills and training you need, polish your resume and start your job search.

It could take a while for the transition to happen, so don’t get discouraged. 

When you’re considering how to switch careers, remember it isn’t over once you’re searching for jobs in the new field. Rather, you need to have a plan for how you’re going to talk about your career change to potential employers. After all, your career change will be apparent to the people you’re interviewing with. Make sure you have spent time reviewing how you can relate success in your previous career to success in your new career. Also, be prepared to discuss how the skills you have will translate to this new career path.

We wish you the very best of luck!

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What to wear for an interview.

What to wear for a job interview in Wiltshire

You only have one opportunity to make a first impression… so don’t ruin your chance!

We understand that interviews make us feel stressed out and it’s very difficult to banish that feeling.  Not only you have to remember what to say, answer questions in a professional manner, but also present yourself in the best way possible. The night before your big interview you should fall asleep knowing that a professional, appropriate outfit is laid out waiting for you.

Here’s a guide to make sure you choose the winning outfit for the job you’re applying for.

  1. Research the company Before you even start going through your wardrobe – do your homework. Find out what dress code is appropriate by looking at the company website or social media. Perhaps there are videos, where you can see what the employees are wearing at work. You can also check, if there is ‘Meet the Team’ or ‘About Us’ section. This will give you a good indication of the dress code and the company standards. If you’re still unsure of the company expectations simply call the HR department and explain you have an upcoming interview and would like to know the appropriate dress code.
  2. Not too many colours and accessories please!Classic is generally the best across all the industries and positions – black, white, navy or nude are an excellent option for both females and males. It’s also a good idea to avoid short hemlines and skin-tight fits altogether.With jewellery keep your choices as simple as possible. Avoid chunky, large or distracting bracelets, necklaces and earrings.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Yes, sorry, you’ll look a bit boring. That’s the point. Let your personality shine, not your clothes.
  3. Details make a differenceMake sure you iron your shirt and trousers/skirt, and keep perfume and make-up to a minimum.If you are wearing heels keep them moderate. Another option is wearing flat shoes – it’s up to you what you feel more comfortable with.  
  4. Some sensible examples may include:

Remember – you will be judged on your presentation, personality and your answers. But if you feel comfortable and good in your outfit it will definitely give you a confidence boost.

We hope we have made it a little bit easier for you to pick the best outfit and should you have any further questions please feel free to comment below.

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Declining a job offer gracefully

Declining a job offer advice in Wiltshire

In the current labour market, employers are more likely to make a job offer today than they were several years ago. If you are carrying out your job search actively and you submit consistently good applications, the chances are you will be invited to several interviews.

But what happens if you are offered more than one job, or you change your mind about a position you have been offered? 

Here’s how to craft a gracious “thanks but no thanks.”

Step by step 

Our advice would be to take a sensible approach: draft an email or letter (either is fine) but before you send it, call the person who interviewed you and let them know your decision by phone. This demonstrates professionalism and shows that you care how much effort they put in selecting you.

Be prompt

The first point is about politeness really. Don’t sit on a decision for days, or hold off deciding on one company over another because you’re nervous about saying ‘no’ to one of them.

As an employer we know it’s best to receive a quick rejection rather than wait days or even weeks to receive a response. 

Say ‘Thank You’

Thank all the people you interviewed with and wish them and their company continued success.

Ideally, pick something specific to thank them for, so your comment doesn’t come across as overly generic. For example, if you asked a lot of questions relating to the role and they answered all of those candidly and in detail, you could mention that.

Be honest

You may be hesitant to explain why you’re turning the job down, but doing so will keep the company from wondering what went wrong, and may even help them improve their hiring process moving forward. Be careful with what exactly you share, though. Some useful examples may include:

  • After much thought, I’ve decided that now is not the best time to leave my current position.
  • While this position seems like a great opportunity, I have decided to accept another role that will offer me more opportunities to pursue my interests in marketing and social media.

Finish by Leaving the Door Open

Try to be positive throughout. Many industries are a small world, so you don’t want to burn any bridges by being negative. When declining a job offer, tell the company that you look forward to running into them or seeing them in the future. This point is especially important if things should go wrong at the company where you’ve accepted work.

Declining a job offer will never be something that anyone will look forward to. But, fortunately, there is a way that you can handle it politely and professionally. Whatever you decide, honesty is always the best policy.