Author: hps-admin

You’ve finally plucked up the courage, you’re in your boss’s office and you’ve just handed in your notice as you’ve received a fantastic new job offer which you’re going to accept. It’s an exciting position – more responsibility, a new challenge; somewhere you can really develop. But your current employer plays their trump card, and make a counter offer. They’ll match, or even beat, your new offer in terms of salary and conditions.

So, what do you do? You now have two job offers on the table…which one should you take? Well, many people would be extremely tempted to take the easy route and accept the counter offer. However, statistics show this is likely to be a mistake! According to The Guardian, it is thought that over 60% of people who accept a counter offer are back on the job market within six months.

In some cases, accepting a counter offer can be a good move. But before you jump in and say yes, it is important to look at the pros and cons of each of your offers.

1. What caused you to look for a new job in the first place?

Maybe your current job role wasn’t challenging you enough; were you ready to step up and take your career further? It might be that you were frustrated, and that dissatisfaction led you to seek a new opportunity. Unless the sole reason for you looking for a new job was a higher salary, it is unlikely that any of these other reasons are going to change. Chances are, within a few weeks of accepting the counter offer these other reasons will still exist.

2. Resentment

Once you’re back in the same role it could be likely that negative thoughts are creeping in. Did they only give me the pay rise because I handed my notice in? Why wasn’t I valued before this? It could make you wonder why you didn’t deserve this raise before – shouldn’t your amazing work and skill be enough for them to appreciate you?

3. You’ve already accepted a new offer

Let’s not forget this new job offer you have worked hard for – you’ve accepted it and are ready to go. It doesn’t look too professional to then change your mind. It could make you look indecisive and unreliable, and could ruin your chances at the company should you ever want to work there again.
If you find yourself in this situation, wondering what to do when a counter offer is on the table, make sure you take a step back and think objectively. Where do you want to be in your career, and what company can get you there?
If you’re considering a change of roles and wish to discuss our available opportunities, as well as career advice and how best to prepare for counter offers, then get in touch today on 01489 774 010 to speak to a member of the Highfield Professional Solutions team.

As a working professional, it is more than likely you have written and re-written your CV more than a handful of times – but if you’re re-writing your CV for contracting purposes it can be a little different.
A standard CV tends to include a small bio about yourself, your education, work experience and skills at a minimum. For permanent jobs this way of writing CV’s works perfectly, but, as a contractor you are likely to need more information so that you stand out from the competition.
A great way of finding contract work is through a recruitment agency, like ourselves, but whatever method you decide to use you will still be competing for that sought after contractor position.
Here is how you can make your CV stand out…
Skills
When it comes to contract work, recruiters and potential employers want to know if you have the relevant skills for the job. Make sure that your best skills are prominently featured at the top of your CV so that everyone can see what a great fit you are.
Previous work structure
As with all CV’s it is important to tailor your CV to the suit the role and company you are applying for. A generic one version copy of your CV won’t make you stand out. Where possible you should include the name of the company, the position you held and for what department – this may be time consuming, however, it could be the difference in you getting the contract.
When talking about your previous work history make sure your most recent contract positions have the greatest emphasis. To save space on your CV don’t worry about focusing too much on older contracts, keep the detail for the most recent and relevant.
Structure
As a contractor you need to sell exactly what it is you can offer. You are more likely to win a contract if you outline exactly what you can provide for the position.

The structure of your CV should include the following:
– Career overview
– Specialist skills
– Qualifications
– Education
Spelling and Grammar
As with any CV it is absolutely essential to check over the document to avoid any mistakes. One little mistake could see you jump quickly from the yes to the no pile.
Think carefully and check the format, layout and presentation as well as spelling and grammar – these are all key components to a killer CV.
New to contracting
If you are new to contracting, you may be finding it hard to know what to put on your CV. However, just because you are yet to gain contracting experience it doesn’t mean you are not right for the role.

Clearly state the previous permanent positions you have had, focus on the skills that these roles have given you and how these will make you an excellent contractor.

Identifying your strong points and what it is that will set you apart as a valued contractor should allow for a smoother transition from permanent to contract work.

Following these expert tips will ensure that you have a contract CV that stands out from the crowd!

Graduating soon? Does the thought of the ‘real world’ where you have to pay taxes, show up on time and work from 9-5 scare you? Chances are you’re waiting to graduate with an impeding sense of dread, wondering if outside of uni life you can survive?

Let’s start by forgetting this idea of the ‘real world’. Yes, you may have been living in a bubble of student life and £1 vodka red bulls, but believe it or not you have been living in the ‘real word’ this whole time without even realising it! I speak from experience; Graduate life really isn’t as scary as everyone makes it out to be.

The truth is, most people don’t really know exactly where they’re headed. It doesn’t matter whether they’re 22 or 62!
Here are my top tips on how you can transition smoothly in to grad life!

1) Enjoy it!

Leaving behind a life you have spent three years creating can be hard, but remember you’re about to embark on your next adventure, one that allows you to start a career in anything you desire. Your success is down to you!

2) Use your experience

The idea of endless job applications, interviews and CVs can be a daunting thought after you’ve graduated; but don’t fret being a student teaches you more than how to meet a deadline after minimal sleep. You’ve got solid proof that you’ve stuck something out for at least three years! Relate your assignments to practical situations and make sure you portray the skills you’ve gained.

3) Don’t be so hard on yourself!

Rejection is normal, even when you’ve got all the experience in the world you’re not guaranteed to land your dream job the first time round. Remember, everyone else is finding their way too – you are definitely not alone! Look around and you’ll soon realisethere are thousands of other graduates in the same boat as you. Stay positive, talk to your peers and keep active with your job search, you never know what is round the corner!

4) Embrace routine

Yes, I know, there is little to no routine at uni, a three-hour day with a trip to the pub for lunch – this can make a 9-5 job seem absurd. I can hear you all asking – will I get a nap break at work? Unfortunately not, but routine is actually good for your health! It is also a lot easier than you probably think – and after all you always have the weekend for naps!

5) The fun doesn’t have to stop

So maybe a midweek night isn’t on the cards anymore, but now you’re out of uni and in the working world it doesn’t mean the fun has to end, workers still go out you know! You have the fun of office banter, work night outs and Christmas dos to come! Embrace it and enjoy it!
While life after graduation may seem like a pretty scary step, it could, in fact, be the most exciting stage yet! With no more exams, lectures, assignments or deadlines, you are now in control of your future.
If you’re looking for a graduate role and have been thinking about recruitment? Get in touch today with Lauren on 01489 774 010 or email your CV to [email protected].
For now lets say goodbye to the post-graduation blues, and hello to your exciting new future!

Do you spend your mornings running around searching for things you should have found the night before? Hectic and rushed mornings are a sure-fire way to start the day late and flustered. By introducing a morning routine, you can save time, have some structure and make that commute to work a little more bearable. So if you’re in need of mastering that morning routine, here are our top tips.
Evening preparation
Think about what tomorrow holds for you and think what you need ready. Whether that is making your lunch for the days ahead, or ironing your shirt for that all important meeting, planning ahead can save you time in the morning and make you a lot less stressed!
Alarm
Whatever you do, do not forget to set that dreaded alarm; there is nothing worse than waking up in a state of panic when yourealise you over slept! If you’re a heavy sleeper, set three alarms, and put them at the other side of your bedroom – this way you are taking no risks of oversleeping.
Breakfast
We have all been told at some point in our lives that breakfast is the most important meal of the day – and when you’re working long hours this couldn’t be more true. Work out what breakfast food works for you, perhaps toast fits into your morning routine perfectly or you may be one of the people who grabs some fruit for their journey to work. Whatever it may be just make sure you are getting that all important nourishment your body needs.
Designate a place for everything
I’m sure we’ve all been there running around in the morning trying to find our keys or wallet while frantically looking at the time knowing we’re going to be late. A dish for the car keys, a tray for your phone and wallet and hooks for your jackets can all help reduce the rush and get you out the door on time.
The most important thing about any routine is to stick to it! The more you do it, the less you have to think about it. By putting that little bit of structure to your day, you can get to work stress free and ready for the day ahead!

So you’ve impressed in the interview and the job is nearly yours, but in the growing age of social media, it doesn’t end there. The interview is no longer always the final deal breaker; more and more employees are taking to social media after an interview to check the fit is as perfect as they hoped.

While your resume may list your academic and professional achievements, employers are just as interested as who you are as a person and how that will impact on the business if you were to join. The problem is that in the lead up to interviews job seekers rarely think about the impact social media could have on their employability, not realising how a simple status or profile picture could be detrimental to their job search. Below, we offer our tips on ensuring that your social media profiles don’t ruin your dream job before it’s started.

Profile Picture
We all know that first impressions really do count and downing vodka from the bottle or posing in next to nothing hardly screams hire me! When businesses search for you, your profile picture is the first thing they’ll see, don’t worry this doesn’t mean you need a professional headshot as your photo, but maybe opt for something a little more respectable and a little less hooligan.

Don’t be naive
Remember, once you post something it is out there for the world to see. We’ve all had bad days at work and feel the need to vent frustrations, but social media may not be the right outlet for it. A potential employer seeing you have bad mouthed previous employers is not going to work in your favour. So next time you think about posting that Facebook rant about your ‘horrible’ boss, text your friend to moan instead

Control your Privacy settings
If you think there may be anything on your social media that may impact your career search then it’s best off to play it safe and remove it. However, if you don’t want to then your privacy settings are going to become your best friend. You can use these settings to make you difficult to find, or to hide certain information from everyone but connections. This is a great way to ensure your ‘Maga 07’ photos stay under the radar.

Don’t by any means feel you can’t show some character and have a laugh on your social media accounts, but maybe just think twice when posting if this would impress a recruiter or a hiring manager. Use social media to your advantage, not to your disadvantage and you’ll have secured your dream job in no time!

The Olympics gets underway this weekend and countries all over the world will be focused on the athletic event. Many of us will watch in awe of the skill, dedication, talent and focus that athletes from all over the world put in. Yet these traits do not only apply to Olympic athletes, they can also be carried over to the non-Olympic world.
The drive to aim for the best, the passion to battle through any setbacks and the unrivalled work ethic of these athletes are skills that can help us progress in our job or secure a new role. So if you are looking for a change in career, here are some lessons you can learn from the Olympics to get you gold in your job hunt.
1. Never stop improving
For Olympic athletes the drive to continually improve can be the difference between getting gold and heading home with nothing. They must constantly push themselves to be faster, stronger, and better than they’ve ever been. This is the attitude you should have to your job search. Pushing yourself to learn, improve and excel will help ensure you beat off the competition.
2. Don’t give up
Olympic athletes can have all sorts of setbacks thrown their way from injuries to heart breaking defeats. Athletes don’t take these setbacks as a time to give up, they take these and use it as determination to do better next time. So if you happen to get a no in an interview, don’t give up keep going and working hard to get the next role you apply for.
3. Have a game face
Competing in front of millions of people can be an extraordinary nerve wracking experience, but when looking at many of the best athletes you wouldn’t be able to tell. They manage to keep their fear and nerves under wraps, allowing them to come across as strong and confident. If you’re nervous about an interview do your best to put on your game face, create a professional persona and show that you have the skills, drive and determination to succeed.
4. Have a clear goal
Every athlete in the Olympics will have a goal, more than likely this will be to win gold. But this is simply the last of a set of goals they have achieved along the way to get to the event itself. Set yourself goals along the way of your job search, maybe it is to secure two interviews for the next week, or apply for 5 jobs a day. Whatever it may be, by achieving those goals you will be one stop closer to getting your new job.
5. Use your strengths to succeed
When it comes to the Olympics each athlete will play on their strength to get them to the finish line. When it comes to your job search make sure you use your strengths to your advantage. What skills and experience do you possess that other candidates may not have? What is it that you have that makes you perfect for the role? Be confident and proud of your strengths and achievements.
Over the coming weeks, if you’re watching the Olympics, think about the skills that have been put in to get to where they are, apply these to your job search and you’ll be on your way to your job search. If you need a bit of coaching or support along the way, why not in touch with one of our expert consultants on 01489 774 010 and see how they can help you achieve gold.