Are We the Job Hopping Generation

Are We the Job Hopping Generation Job hopping was not so popular back in the day, with multiple jobs in a short amount of time seen as a negative thing from a hiring managers perspective. If you are going to leave the job you had, wont  you just end up leaving the new job you secure? Now, it seems that job hopping is the new trend to be a part of. The more jobs you have, the more skills you possesses which shows an ability to adapt, learn and gain a whole range of varied skills. Is job hopping ultimately a positive or negative thing and what do people want from their future jobs? Degree Query have provided us with the answers and some tips and tricks for job searching. The statistics Median years of tenure with current employer aged 16+ in  2014 = 4.6. 9/10 millenials expect to stay in a job for less than 3 years. This = 15-20  jobs in a lifetime! Late 1980s: 20-25 year olds changing jobs each year = 50% Post 2007 recession:  20-25 year olds changing jobs each year = 35% Changing jobs frequently helps your career. 50% of 18-34 year olds agree with this statement. only 22% of 55+ agree with this statement. The benefits: Better compensations = 31% New skills = 30% New company/corporate culture = 18% What job seekers want: Job stability = 65% Location = 57% Affordable benefits = 55% Good work culture: 46% Half day Fridays = 40% On site fitness centre = 22% Tips for a successful job search: Join a corporate talent network Ask for feedback Be positive Network Follow where the jobs are! Read more of the statistics and tips below!

5 Tips to Recruit the Best Tech Talent

5 Tips to Recruit the Best Tech Talent Recruitment can be a long and expensive prospect but any business with growth ambitions must go through the process at some point. With the UK currently facing a skills shortage and a decrease in the pool of talent, businesses are  struggling to get enough qualified or skilled candidates through the door. The tech sector, in particular, is grappling to entice quality tech talent, into one of the country’s fastest-growing industries. The lack of available talent has turned technology recruitment into a candidate-driven market, and businesses are now the ones having to work harder to stand out from the crowd. At the same time, candidate motivations have changed, attitudes have evolved and needs have altered, so what can be done to attract the right tech talent? Well, to help you on your recruitment journey, below are a few top tips, so sit back, relax and take note… 1. Understand your candidate This might seem a bit obvious, but you’d be surprised how often understanding your candidate is misinterpreted. As the recruiter, you must know what skills and experience your ideal candidate will need. Do they need to have a degree or be able to use Photoshop? Once you’ve made the desired skills and experience clear, the next step is to figure out who that candidate is as a person. Ask yourself, will they fit in culturally to the business? Do they have the personality that will gel with other employees? If the answer is no, you’re not doing anyone any favors by carrying on. Experience comes with time, and you can always develop an individual’s skillset, but things like personality and culture fit cannot be taught so bringing a candidate into a business they won’t fit into is a waste of everyone’s time and money. 2. Looking in the right places The UK tech job market can be like a game of Wheres Waldo. Like Waldo, as a business, you’re competing to be noticed in an overcrowded market.  Much of the tech talent you’re looking for won’t be found on a traditional job board. In fact tech forums, chat rooms, social networks, and online platforms are where tech talent is most likely to be found. 3. Make your business sound desirable Recruitment isn’t just about businesses reviewing candidates, it’s about candidates reviewing the business. The pool of tech talent might be getting shallower, but a number of tech jobs is increasing all the time, and businesses face a tougher time convincing the best talent to come and work for them. If you’re offering the usual ‘chance to work on an exciting new project’ or a company Nando’s here and there, you’ll find it difficult to tempt candidates because everyone else is promising the same thing. Your business culture should be at the heart of your  organization  so make sure candidates know about it. Shout about your organization’s working environment, the opportunity for career development and training prospects. These are all things that the 21st-century candidate craves. 4. Recruit and upskill to fill talent gaps If you’ve been looking for an external candidate for a while but are struggling to fill vacancies, it could be that you need to look inside your business and see if there is anyone who could fill the gap with a bit of upskilling. This might take a bit longer to develop the desired skills, but on the other hand, if you have someone you know fits into the business, developing their current abilities could be the best answer. Promoting from within shows your workforce that progression opportunities are available. You may even find it easier to recruit for more junior positions as your current workforce progresses. 5. Develop a network The technology sector is an enormous economic entity, but a relatively small community. It is therefore important to immerse yourself in the community and get to know the tech talent of today. Be proactive because the better and bigger your network, the easier it will be to find new tech talent. So, there you have it, a few top tips to nab the best tech talent and hopefully keep them (fingers crossed). About the author:  Carl Sautereau is the Co-founder and COO  of Talent Deck, he handles  the overall growth strategy of the talent recruitment start-up, through operational, marketing and sales development planning and execution.

6 Steps To Make The Most Of Your Placement

6 Steps To Make The Most Of Your Placement After months of searching and applying, you’ve finally managed to get the placement of your dreams. Walking into the office on your first day, you feel nervous and excited all at the same time. As long as you get the most out of it and don’t mess it up, this could be your ticket to a great job in the future. The question is: how do I make the most of this opportunity? In this article, I will be offering some tips to help you impress the boss and get the most out of your placement. Be enthusiastic When you’re on your placement, it is really important to be enthusiastic. Don’t be the intern who sits quietly in the corner waiting to be given something to do. Get involved and learn as much as you can about the company and industry. Get to know your fellow colleagues, ask questions and generally be keen as mustard! Build relationships Building relationships is the key to success. Don’t be afraid to take part in social events. Become an integral member of the team, and befriend your fellow workers. See if they have any sporting teams or charity fundraising events you can get involved with. Take on responsibility Once you have built those all-important relationships and you have gained the managers trust, make it known that you would be happy to take on any responsibility they can offer you. Show that you are up for the challenge and want to prove yourself. Do be careful though, you don’t want to come across as cocky or pushy. Earn your stripes by excelling in the mundane, and hopefully more exciting things will be put your way. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback Working out what your weaknesses are and improving on them is essential in any situation. You might find that some managers can be really forthcoming with feedback. If they aren’t, don’t be afraid to ask for some. It can be a great way to show that you are committed to development and can be a big ‘thumbs up’ in any managers eyes. Keep a record Remember, you’re there to learn, so be sure to keep a record of what you pick up. Keep a detailed diary of projects you have been involved in, what your role was, what you learnt, etc. If you do, you will have a wealth of information to include in an application, CV or interview in the future! Leave on a high When it comes towards the end of your placement, it is really important that you maintain the relationships you have built up. Don’t sneak out of the office to never be seen again. Ensure you say your goodbyes, get contact details and thank the staff. You never know who may be able to help you out in the future. Follow up your departure with a nice thank you letter. Little things like that can make all the difference and can set you apart from other interns the company may have had in the past. photo credit: thinkpublic via photopin cc 20