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You’ve secured your first job after uni life, and of course, you want to make the best impression possible. Unfortunately, there are numerous habits that could get you on the wrong side of your co-workers, but don’t panic we are here to help. Here is our guide to office etiquette…follow our top tips and you’ll be everyone’s best friend.

Don’ts

Loud Food

From experience, there is nothing more annoying than a co-worker munching away on loud food when you’re trying to concentrate. In a recent survey, 57% of workers revealed that noisy eaters were the most annoying workplace offenders. So, if crunchy food is on the menu, maybe wait until your break and eat in the staff room or eating area.

Smelly Food

Similarly to noisy eaters, smelly food can get peoples backs up. There is nothing worse than the smell of fish lingering the office when you’re trying to concentrate. Again, wait until lunch for your salmon salad or last night’s takeaway leftovers, your colleagues will thank you for it!

Swearing

You’re not at uni anymore so it’s time to put that potty mouth to rest. No one wants to be hearing expletives in the work place, especially when they may be on the phone to important clients. Remember you are representing your company, always put your best self forward.

Don’t take people’s things without asking

If you need something ask! Don’t take people’s stationary without asking – no one wants to be chasing you round the office trying to track down their run-away stapler.

Don’t be late

Every now and again we all experiences issues that may make us late. However, I’m talking once in a blue moon, being repeatedly late is not only going to reflect badly on yourself and your work ethic but it’s going to get your colleagues backs up. If they can get in on time each day, then why can’t you? Make sure you know your route to work and any traffic hot spots, that way you can anticipate how long your journey will take you and make it to the office in plenty of time.

Office gossip

As tempting as it may be to find out what office romances are going on, it’s best to stay well clear. After all, if the shoe was on the other foot, would you want to be the talk of the office?

Do’s

Tearound

A sure-fire way to make friends is to step up and get involved in the tea round. You’d be surprised how often tea talk pops up throughout the day. Accept a tea or coffee if someone offers you one, but make sure you get a round in yourself later that day.

Arrive early

If you start at 8.30am that means you begin work at that time. Arrive 5/10 minutes early to make sure you are settled and ready to get stuck in as soon as the clock hits 8.30.

Make conversation

Get involved in office chat…within reason. You’ll be spending a lot of your time with these people, so it’ll make it a lot more enjoyable for everyone if you all get on.

Bring in goodies

There’s nothing that excites an office more than sweet treats – favourites being krispy kreme donuts, birthday cake and haribo. Now I’m not by any means saying win your colleagues over by buying them food, but if it’s your birthday bring in the left-over cake, if you’re buying yourself haribo then offer these round the office. Everyone else will be sure to return the favour.

Ask for help

In your first few weeks of a job you will not be expected to know everything straight away. Be confident and ask for help when needed, it’s better to hold your hands up and learn then sit there quietly making mistakes.

Clean up after yourself

Gone are the days of uni accommodation and a piled up sink full of unwashed dishes. Make an effort to clean up after yourself – if you use it wash it, if you spill it clean it! No one wants to be nagging constantly about the mess, so keeping on top of it equals a happy office.

The future of Crossrail 2 could be pushed off track by the upcoming General Election, as the government now does not plan to give the £30bn project’s business case the final sign off by the end of this month.

William Jackson, a development consultant at Crossrail 2 explained that the mega project’s business case, which was submitted to central government in March, was now unlikely to be approved until the autumn, and could even come as late as next year, which in turn could have a lengthy knock on effect on the project’s timeline.

The Conservatives also left out any mention of a commitment to the project in its recent manifesto, which has sparked more concern.

Crossrail 2 boss, Michele Dix, said in April that she wanted a decision by the end of May ‘at the latest’ on the business case and funding plans submitted by TFL in March. But it is now in the hands of the next government to consider and then make the decision.

If given the go-ahead, the Crossrail 2 team will prepare a hybrid bill, with the original plan to submit that to parliament by the autumn of 2019.

TFL said it was keen to see Crossrail 2 mentioned in all the political parties’ manifestos. The body will be satisfied with Labour and the Liberal Democrats manifestos, as both committed to the project. However, TFL will be left disappointed with the Conservatives.

Crossrail’s first stage was initially set to launch this month, bosses and contractors involved will all be looking on as they wait for the sign off on follow-up project. However, it seems after the recent news it could be a bit of a wait.

Recent years have seen a rise in the number of Quantity Surveyors moving into contract work and reaping the benefits. However, with a skills shortage of Quantity Surveyors around the UK, both permanent and contract staff are now being paid generously. With the uncertainty of Brexit negotiations, are contract sector professionals taking into account the risks of the future, or is it in fact a sensible financial decision? Here we weigh up the pros and cons of permanent and contract work for Quantity Surveyors.

What are the risks of working on a contract basis?

More disposable – when working for a company on a contract basis you are more disposable than permanent staff. Contracts could be cut short and you could find yourself out of work until the next contract comes along.

Brexit uncertainty – with the upcoming general elections, and the Brexit negotiations on the horizon, worries of a slow in the construction industry have been discussed. Although we still have lots of roles coming in and are as busy as ever, for the more cautious candidates this could be something to think about.

Why do workers seem to prefer contract work?

Variety – contract work gives the opportunity to work on a whole range of projects. You’ll have no time to get bored as you will always be moving on to something else.

Money – In general, salaries for a Quantity Surveyor are typically higher working on a contract basis than those working for a Main Contractor, Consultancy or a Client.

Experience – with contract work you experience a range of different environments, cultures and personalities. This experience soon makes your CV become more expansive and diverse.

What are the benefits of working on a permanent basis?

Security – the worry of running out of work and not being able to find your next contract is non-existent. Permanent work gives you the confidence that if you perform your job role is secure.

Progression – with permanent staff, companies see you as a permanent asset and are more likely to invest in you to grow alongside the company. Career paths are often laid out for you with goals to help you progress.

Additional Benefits – Permanent work can come with numerous benefits. Holiday pay, company cars and team nights out are just some of the things you can expect.

Being part of the team – building relationships, friendships and feeling like part of the team is a great benefit of permanent work. The contract work can sometimes feel lonely, and this reason can push people to work on a permanent basis.

Do employers prefer to hire permanent or contract staff?

This varies on the company and the project in hand, however, permanent staff are less of a cost to a business. The cost of paying a contract professional can be much higher than investing in a permanent member of staff, so while this is more attractive to employees, it is not necessarily as appealing to businesses looking for someone long term. However, if a client has a short-term project and knows they only require a certain skill set for a specific period, a contractor becomes the most viable option.

There are clearly benefits of both permanent and contract work, and depending on your circumstances either could be right for you. Do your research and know what to expect. If you have any pros or cons you’d like to share with us about your QS career, or just want a chat about the industry and what else is out there, then get in touch today on 01489 774 010 or email your CV to [email protected].

 

 

So, the day has finally arrived that you have wished for over the last 3 years – no more exams, no more deadlines… FREEDOM! But now that day is here what do you do? As exciting as the working world can be, the transition from university to 8.30am starts can be tough. As a graduate myself, I had to deal with plenty of changes, which after 4 years I am finally adapting to. Based on my own experiences, I’ve compiled a survival guide for you eager grads to ensure you survive office life.

Appearance

I know after three years of uni you’re used to casual comfy outfits, but welcome to office life…wearing exactly what you want becomes a thing of the past. Employers are going to see you as ambassadors of their company and want you to appear smart and professional. So, the ripped jeans and converse will have to wait until dress down Friday.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

No one is going to expect you to know everything straight away. Rather than sit at your desk wondering what you should be doing, ask one of your colleagues for help. We’ve all been there at some stage of our career, and after all your manager is there to show you the ropes.

Be realistic

Ok, so you’ve graduated with a solid degree and you’re ready to put your knowledge in to action. But remember, you are still at the beginning of your career! Your first job may not be as glamorous, exciting or fulfilling as you think it’s going to be. When you think of those city workers swanning about at lunchtime, taking clients to exciting meetings and wearing designer shoes, it’s easy to forget the hard work that involves reaching that point. But with determination and ambition there is no reason you can’t aim for that!

Be prepared to go the extra mile

This is your first job, and hopefully you’ve managed to secure it within a company that will invest in your development. Just remember that the more you put in, the more you’ll get out. If that means staying late a couple of nights, or doing a bit of research at home in the evenings, then do it! Just think how great it will feel when you secure that first promotion…

Office gossip

Everyone can be partial to a bit of gossip now and then, but remember you’re not with your uni mates anymore. Try and steer clear from any big office gossip, you’re better off keeping your head down and focusing on your work – your colleagues will respect you more for it.

Enjoy it!

You’ve spent at least 3 years studying for this, so try and enjoy it and give it your all! Yes, I’d be lying if I said we didn’t all have bad days – but as long as you have more good days at work than bad, then you’re more than likely in the right role.

Good luck, the working world is not as scary as it seems. If, however, you are yet to secure a grad role then take a look what a year in recruitment is like, if this sounds like the job for you then get in touch today, or email your CV to [email protected].

So, there we have it, my first year in recruitment is complete. What a rollercoaster it has been…but a rollercoaster I would get back on again and again and again.

Like a lot of graduates, I was unsure what career path I was going to go down. Straight out of uni I decided travelling and working seasons was for me, so off I went. I’d originally applied for an Easter placement at Highfield, however, with the decision to go off travelling, it wasn’t the right time…but I was told to stay in contact all the same. On my return, I got back in touch with Highfield because I liked how they had sold the business – the opportunity to progress quickly and the earning potential stuck in my mind and I knew that if I put the work and hours in I could quite quickly reap the rewards.

How did I find my first year?

Now my first year in recruitment is done and dusted, I can say that it has been a great career decision. In the last year, I have progressed from Trainee Consultant to a Recruitment Consultant, made friends, won incentives and my hard work has been constantly recognised. And yes, I still get that “warm, fuzzy feeling” of getting someone a job. One of my favourite memories is securing a candidate a role with a £5k pay rise plus generous bonuses, all because he didn’t realise what his skills were worth.

I’d be lying if I said it was all fun and games. I am a self-confessed ‘work-a-holic’ and it can sometimes feel that work is never finished, there is always something you could be doing. Recruitment is a constant learning curve, perseverance and self-motivation become your best friend – bounce back from the no’s because all you need is one yes. So, don’t be afraid to fail! It will make you better, embrace it, but never ever let it beat you!

Coming out of university with lots of academic experience and not so much working world experience was daunting. But, I have found recruitment to compliment my university degree perfectly by teaching me a host of new skills from general office work, sales language and objection handling and of course, how to multi-task. Don’t be fooled, recruitment is not just sales, its marketing, business, relationship management and problem solving to name a few.

My advice!

If you’re thinking about a career in recruitment, my advice to you is be creative and get stuck in. Think of being a recruitment consultant as running your own mini business, the more you put in the more you get out. With the right training, you have the power to be very successful.

So, for any graduates thinking about a career in recruitment, but not sure if it’s for them, why don’t you answer the following questions:

Are you ambitious and determined to succeed?

Do you want to be successful?

Are you looking for a career where the work you put in will always be rewarded?

Do you want to be part of a team that works hard but knows how to party?

If you’ve answered yes to those questions then I think you need to email your CV to [email protected], and apply for a Graduate Recruitment job with Highfield.

If I haven’t quite convinced you and you have any questions about my year in recruitment, then I am more than happy to help. Drop me an email, [email protected]

Over the past couple of years, we have seen a decline in the number of Quantity Surveyors across the Board within Civil Engineering and Construction. According to surveys, 65% of companies across Civil and Construction industries reported that there is a distinct lack of QS’s available for work.

Some argue that because of this shortage, Universities have been pushing through “not so great trainees”. The consensus being that Graduates lack the skillset to do the complicated job of a Quantity Surveyor at a level deemed acceptable by today’s fast paced market and its delivery targets.

But why is this? Surveys suggest that delivery pressure and lack of time for QS’ to mentor trainees play a big part. Old boys of the QS’ing world tell of stories of great mentors and being taken under wings, because they had the time to do so, whereas now, with a thinning market, trainees are being pushed and pulled through non-commercial routes such as Project Managers, thus losing valuable time to learn how to produce bills of Quantity or even run standard reports.

The shortage, we believe – has even impacted on the QS salary or pay rate. Whilst across the sectors QS pay rates can vary, certainly the lack of available QS’s has seen the reduction in QS’s wanting Permanent roles and a rise in Contractor numbers. Decent QS’s with significant experience know that they are well sought after in today’s market, enabling them to ask for more money in return.

I wonder if the real reason for the shortage is actually due to young people preferring to study within the ever-growing digital market. What are we doing to encourage youngsters to stay within Civil Engineering? We would love to hear your thoughts.

Here at Highfield, we love to raise money for many charities close to our hearts. No challenge is too big… so this year, on the 15^th July, the bravest of Highfield are set to take on Mount Snowdon to fundraise for Crohn’s and Colitis Charity.

The Crohn’s and Colitis Charity are the UK’s leading charity in the battle against Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. This great cause works relentlessly to improve the life of the 300,000 people in the UK with Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis and other forms of IBD.

The Highfield team will be taking on Llanberis Path. With a length of 9 miles, and an ascent of 3300 feet, it is not for the faint hearted.

Not only is this an exciting challenge for the Highfield team, but it is an opportunity to raise money for an amazing cause.

Money raised will help support the charity to;

• Provide essential services to people with Crohn’s, Colitis and other forms of IBD
• Inform and influence decisions about the needs of people with conditions
• Help develop local services
• Raise vital funds to continue their work across the UK
• Improve existing treatments and services, and discover new ones by taking part in research

If you would like to show your support to Highfield and the Crohn’s and Colitis charity, you can do so by donating to our Just Giving page.

Fears of strike action hitting the £18bn Hinkley Point C construction programme have been discussed. However, after EDF stepped in, it seems the strike, which was triggered by the issue of bonus payments, could be off.

Strike fears emerged last week as the involved unions conducted a ballot of their members on whether to accept the proposed bonus offered by BYLOR. Members of both unions rejected the proposed bonus. They believed the proposal was inadequate to attract the quality of skilled workers required to complete the civil works phase of the project on time.

It seems the unions are now hopeful that, with the positive intervention of the client EDF, fresh talks will lead to an agreement and avert the need for industrial action.

Phil Whitehurst, GMB national officer for construction, said “Our members gave this derisory bonus offer the short shrift it deserved by overwhelmingly voting it down.

If the companies want to avoid strike action they need to make us a serious offer, which matches our members’ skills level, when we get back round the table.

If they don’t, they could be facing an industrial dispute and delays to the whole Hinkley Point project.”

It will be interesting to see once the talks take place. In the meantime, if you are looking for work within the nuclear industry check out our live Hinkley Point C vacancies or contact our expert nuclear consultant, Matt Casey, on 01489 774 010.

Highfield Professional Solutions are thrilled to announce we have been shortlisted for Employer of the Year in the South Coast Business Awards 2017.

At Highfield Professional Solutions, we take great pride in our talent, and fully invest in the development and success of our staff. We understand and recognise that it is our employees that make our business unique and reputable, and the experience we provide is vital to our success. Ensuring staff feel appreciated, challenged and most importantly valued, is central to our core values and it is this focus that has led us to become an employer of choice in our region.

Sam Hughes, Director of Highfield Commented;

“Our entire team here at Highfield is paramount to our success.  We continually strive for excellence in the training and support of our staff, driving growth and creating jobs in an environment everyone can thrive and develop their careers.

It is a real honour to be nominated for this award and for our dedication to be recognised.”

The South Coast Business Awards, in partnership with Trethowans Solicitors, will take place on July 6^th 2017 at the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl. It looks set to be a great event as the best of the South Coast business come together to celebrate.

We are delighted to have been shortlisted and are looking forward to the awards evening!

It seems like it is good news for the building sector, as it has seen its fastest pace growth in four months in April. This is showing real signs that the economy might be recovering a little momentum, after news of Brexit saw 2017 off to a slow start.

The Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 53.1 from 52.2 in March, against forecasts in a Reuters poll of economists for a slight fall.

Builders have reported that they took on more staff last month, due to improvement in client demand. Put simply, more work means more employment in the sector.

It was Civil Engineering which grew at the fastest pace in just over a year, and a growth in house-building hit a four-month high.

However, it seems there is still some Brexit worry looming on the construction industry. Max Jones, Global Corporates Relationship Director for Construction at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking explained;

“Some of the nervousness is coming from contractors with a focus on infrastructure, where the pipeline remains strong. The success of Crossrail has shown that mega-projects can be delivered on time and on budget but there are concerns about how government decision-making on infrastructure may be affected given the focus on Brexit negotiations.

“A further worry is skills and the fears over future access to EU workers, on which the UK construction industry is so reliant. Here, firms are continuing to use joint ventures to spread risk, share labour resources and ensure the best possible teams are available for the job.”

If the UK does not retain access to the European single market after Brexit the UK construction industry could lose more than 175,000 EU workers. An outcome like this could put key infrastructure and construction projects at risk or on hold. This would come at a worrying time when the construction sector is also facing other pressures, such as tax changes in the recent budget and an already there skills gap.

With the upcoming general election and the outcome of the Brexit negotiations still to come, it may be a while before we see the construction industry settle completely. However, with such growth, and the biggest rise in new orders since the beginning of the year, the sector seems to be in a strong pre-election position, bringing waves of positivity for the future of the UK construction industry.