Category: Career Advice

The number of major railway projects underway and in the pipeline, combined with the Government’s National Infrastructure Delivery Plan that commits a further £100billion worth of investment by 2021, is making 2017 an extremely exciting time to kick start a career in rail.

The railways of Britain are undergoing a huge transformation with London’s new railway, Crossrail, reaching its final stages, and HS2 expected to start on site this year. Alongside this, Chancellor George Osborne has recently indicated he will continue investing in rail by announcing plans to bring forward spending on other rail projects.

The rail sector and its supply chain contributes more than £10billion a year to the UK economy and employs around 216,000 people – a figure that’s set to increase drastically over the coming years. The high-speed rail project alone is expected to employ around 27,000 people by the end of this decade.

So, if you’re thinking of entering this exciting industry, here are some options you should consider:

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships can the ideal way to get your foot in the door and provide a steppingstone to a very successful career. The benefits of being an apprentice include; learning and gaining relevant skills whilst earning a real wage, hands on experience and a nationally recognised qualification that employers look for.

Experience

Entering the rail engineering industry can rely on several factors, and experience, as always, can be key. New entrants to the area are expected to have experience and qualifications in a relevant field such as a mechanical fitter, electrician or craftsperson. Protentional employers will look for transferable skills that could help with your transition in to the rail industry.

With the rail industry continuing to push the boundaries and innovate, whilst offering an incredibly rewarding career, it makes prospects within the industry more exciting than they have been for generations.

If you are thinking about a career in rail or would like to hear about the opportunities we have available, then get in touch with our expert consultants on 01489 774 010.

If you’re on the lookout for your next job or thinking about a possible change in your career, then the new year is the perfect time to get your job search on track.

Stop wishing for that new job and simply make it your goal in 2017 to secure your dream role by following these new year resolutions for job seekers.

1. I will give my CV a makeover

When looking for a new job your CV is your best friend. So, if yours is out of date, poorly written or presented then you could be putting yourself at a serious disadvantage in the job market. Put aside some time to completely revamp and update your CV. This is your first chance to sell yourself, so make sure you cover all your skills and experience that make you the best person for the role.

2. I will look for opportunities to increase my skills

Are you looking to take the next step in your career but not sure if you have the skills or experience to make that leap? Make 2017 the year you develop new skills or improve on existing ones. Employers want people who can deliver the best results possible, so the more skills you have the more likely you are to stand out in the job market.

3. Professional Social Networking

More and more employers and recruiters are taking to social media to post jobs or to find potential candidates. Ensure you are on professional social media sites, such as LinkedIn, and make sure your profile is up to date. Think of LinkedIn as your online CV so make sure you are showcasing the best version of you possible.

4. Plan

Plan ahead – create a plan of the companies or types of roles you are really interested in. Look at the job descriptions of the roles you are aiming for and tailor your CV to suit. Connect with the companies you are interested in and keep your eyes peeled for company updates, industry news and even job postings.

5. Stay Positive

Searching for a new job can be overwhelming and stressful at times. Don’t be too hard on yourself; finding your dream job can take time. If you are feeling negative, take a moment to look what you achieved today and be proud of everything you are doing to help secure your next role.

With the job market more competitive than ever, recruiters and hiring managers are increasingly opting on doing their initial job interviews over the telephone.

The thought of a telephone interview may at first fill you with joy; you don’t have to get dressed up, you don’t have to leave the house and yes, you could even stay in bed! However, let’s not get carried away, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat the phone interview as seriously, if not more seriously, than any other interview.

Just because you’re not face to face with a potential employer it does not mean you can forget everything you have learnt about interviews. A telephone interview is not the time to slack. In fact, you must work even harder to make yourself stand out to a potential employer.

So, here are our top tips to help you impress over the phone…

Pick your location wisely

If you are lying in bed or slouching on the sofa it will show in your voice. Pick somewhere in your house that will help you get in to a professional state of mind. You could always try standing whilst on the phone as this can help knock your energy levels up a notch.

Don’t get distracted

During any interview, you want to give it your full attention. Make sure you limit any possible distractions, turn off your TV and your computer screen and put away any books or magazines around you.

Prepare, prepare, prepare!

Take advantage of the fact that the interviewer cannot see you. Research the company and go over the job description, jot down some notes or important questions you might want to ask but don’t write down too much – you want to sound natural so don’t totally rely on pre-prepared answers.

Check your signal

If you are taking the call on your mobile phone, you want to make sure you pick a location where you have good reception. Interviewers will be busy and they may not have time to call you back if your phone cuts out.

Be professional

When it comes to telephone interviews, your voice and language play a vital role in standing out. Avoid slang words and talking too fast. Smile when you talk as this naturally ensures you sound enthusiastic.

Show your interest

Before you say goodbye, ensure you’ve expressed your interest in the role. Confirm with them what the remaining recruitment process is and how long before you can expect to hear back. Make a note in your diary to follow up if you haven’t heard.

Once you’ve nailed your telephone interview, head over to our career section and check out our face to face interview tips

Looking for a new job role can at times be a difficult challenge to face, checking job boards for your dream job, completing long-winded application forms and checking emails in the hope of a response – it can be easy to get stuck in this draining cycle.
In order to help keep your job search a positive experience we have put together some of our top tips to keep you motivated and one step closer to finding that dream job.
Get the help of a recruiter
We all know how stressful it can be to keep on top of your job search – what have I applied for? Who have I spoken to? When is that interview? Well, that’s where a recruitment consultant can come in handy – they are there to listen to your wants and needs and assist you with the entire job searching process from application, right through to accepting an offer.
Network
This is where the famous saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” can play a part. Talk to everyone and ask about new opportunities, you never know what is out there until you ask.
Market yourself
More and more candidates are being found through social media, so make sure you develop your network and sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook – but make sure you are representing yourself how you would want a potential employer to see you.
Get feedback
If you happen to get a no at some point along the way, see this as a chance to learn. Listen to any feedback employers or recruitment consultants may give you, take it on board and work on it so you make an even better impression next time.
Be kind to yourself
This is probably the most important part of staying motivated on your job search. Quite often we can be our own harshest critic, feeling we should be a hundred steps ahead of where we are.
If you’re feeling negative, take a moment to look what you have achieved today and be proud of everything you’re doing to help secure your dream role!
If you’re feeling a bit lost on the search for your next job why not head over to www.highfieldps.co.uk to see all the career advice we have, or give us a call on 01489 774 010 to see how we can help.

Here at Highfield we pride ourselves on the unrivaled service we provide. We understand that securing a job in architecture can be pretty overwhelming, so that’s where we come in. We want to relieve stress and help you showcase your skills in the best possible way to get you in front of some of the most prestige consultancies around.

Kelly Vidler, our specialist Recruitment Consultant has put together her top tips to help you in your search for the perfect role.

1. Find the right recruiter

With lots of recruitment agencies out there it can be hard to know where to start, and picking the wrong agency could actually slow down your job search. Pick an agency with a consultant dedicated to architecture – this shows they are a real expert in their field. Thinking of going the job search alone? Well here is what a recruiter can do for you:
– Help format CVs – recruiters know what the clients want to see and what CVs get noticed, we can help you present your skills in a way that everyone will want to meet you.
– Listen – a good recruiter will listen to exactly what you want, they won’t pressure you in to roles that aren’t a good suit.

2. What do you want

In order to find you your dream job, it is important for you to establish what it is you’re after. Talk to your recruitment consultant about what you enjoy, what motivates you and where you see yourself – they will know the ins and the outs of practices and be able to find one that is best suited to you!

3. Keep up to date

Our website is updated regularly with the latest architecture jobs, but to make it even easier it is worth signing up for email alerts so the latest architect jobs are sent straight to your inbox. You can also stay ahead of the competition by following our Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

4. Review your CV / Portfolio

It is important to showcase your ability in the right way. Keep your CV simple and use it to detail your experience and skills. Your portfolio should be a balance between great design ability and practical experience, include examples of your strongest work. Remember, presentation is incredibly important; after all you are in the business of design.

5. Prepare for interview

You’ve secured the interview so now you need to ensure you impress.
– Do your research – find out information about the company and projects they have completed.
– Confirm where the office is and don’t be late
– Check out their social media pages so you can get a feel for the practice and update yourself with the latest news
– Interested in the role? Then show it! Ask questions about the company, it’s culture and the work to show you are interested.

Follow these top tips and you’ll be one step closer to securing your next role. If you have any questions, or would to discuss the opportunities we have within the architectural industry then please contact Kelly Vidler on 01489 774 010 or [email protected].