Understanding the type of interview you’re likely to encounter can be a game-changer in your job search. By knowing what to expect, you can prepare effectively and make a lasting impression on your interviewer. In this guide, we'll explore the three most common types of interviews—technical, case, and behavioral—and provide tips on how to excel in each one.
So, you want to get into HR in the UK? Welcome to the world of CV reviews, people management, and unlimited cups of tea (you’re going to need it). But before you can dive into writing job descriptions and solving workplace dramas, let’s talk about how you can actually land that HR job—without losing your sanity along the way.
Here are 5 steps that could help you unlock the HR gates. Spoiler alert: it’s not all about having UK experience (though it helps).
In the UK, all workers are legally entitled to at least 5.6 weeks (28 days for a 5-day working week) of paid annual leave. This is known as statutory leave entitlement. Employers may choose to offer additional days beyond the statutory minimum.
Warning letters, while a necessary tool in certain circumstances, can often have unintended consequences. A more effective approach to performance management is to focus on open communication, empathy, and support.
Salaries and benefits are among the most powerful tools for attracting, retaining, engaging, and motivating your workforce. Research from Glassdoor and Harvard Business Review reveals that 75% of job applicants consider benefits as a key factor when accepting a job offer, and the same percentage stays with their employer due to the benefits they receive.
Hello job seekers! Let’s talk about a common interview question that can sometimes catch you off guard: “Why should we hire you?” Here’s a quick tip—when you hear this question, try rephrasing it in your mind to, “Why should we buy you?” and answer accordingly.
One of the most efficient ways to secure a job or transition into a new role in today’s competitive job market is by building and nurturing your support network. Based on my experience, and the experiences of many HR professionals, it’s clear that your network often determines your net worth.
Measuring employee performance is crucial for maintaining a productive and motivated workforce. However, relying on subjective feelings rather than objective data can be unprofessional and counterproductive. Here's why:
When a recruiter asks, "Can we meet you?", it’s one of the most critical moments in your interview. This question is more than a simple icebreaker—it's an opportunity for you to make a strong first impression and set the tone for the rest of the conversation. Here’s how to craft a response that will leave a lasting impact:
Missing a call from HR regarding a job interview can be stressful, especially in competitive job markets where numerous candidates are vying for the same role. However, there are effective steps you can take to address the situation and improve your chances of rescheduling or re-engaging with the recruiter. Here’s what you should do:
When applying for jobs, providing your residential address is more than just a formality. It serves several critical functions that can impact your job search and employment process. Here’s why your residential address is important and how to ensure it is accurately provided:
With LinkedIn becoming a primary tool for recruiters, understanding how they search for candidates can help you tailor your profile to stand out. Here's a guide to help you optimize your LinkedIn profile and increase your chances of being discovered:
The technology sector is booming and presents a wealth of opportunities for new graduates and professionals alike. If you’re contemplating a career shift or looking to start fresh, here are compelling reasons why building a career in tech could be your best move:
As technology continues to advance, the prospect of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) taking over a significant portion of jobs is becoming increasingly real. Estimates suggest that between 35% and 50% of current jobs are at risk due to automation, with both blue-collar and professional roles potentially affected. Here’s a closer look at the implications and how we might navigate this evolving landscape:
Signing an appointment letter is a significant step in starting a new job. Your signature indicates your agreement to the terms laid out in the document, which will govern your employment relationship. To ensure that you are fully informed and protected, it’s crucial to carefully review the contents of the appointment letter. Here’s what to look out for:
People Operations is emerging as a transformative approach to traditional Human Resources (HR), reflecting a shift from administrative tasks to a strategic role focused on maximizing employee potential and aligning human capital with organizational goals. Here's an overview of how People Operations is reshaping the HR landscape:
Introduction
Extending an employee's probation period is a delicate matter that requires thoughtful handling. Clear and compassionate communication, along with emotional intelligence, can turn this potentially challenging situation into a positive developmental experience for the employee. This approach not only supports the individual’s growth but also enhances overall organizational effectiveness.
HR departments are evolving beyond their traditional roles of handling administrative tasks and compliance. The shift towards a more strategic and transformational approach is crucial for businesses aiming to thrive in a dynamic environment. Here’s a simple guide to transforming your HR function:
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| Your rights as an employee |
As an employee, knowing your rights is crucial to ensuring that you receive what you're entitled to from your employer. Whether you're starting a new job or have been with your employer for some time, it's important to be aware of the obligations your employer has towards you. This guide outlines key employee rights and what you should expect from your employer under labor laws.
Congratulations on landing your new job! Now comes the hard part—demonstrating to your new employers that they made the right choice in hiring you.
A Twitter poll revealed that 22% of respondents didn’t last a full day at a new job, while 14% couldn’t stay beyond 10 days. Executives can often gauge within two weeks whether new hires will succeed or not. Although this is a brief window, there’s good news: much of what you need to do in that first week involves observing and listening.
Garden leave is a practice where an employer continues to pay an employee who is leaving the company (either because they’ve handed in their notice or had their employment terminated) but instructs them to stay away from work during their notice period. During this time, the employee is typically forbidden from contacting fellow employees, clients, or suppliers, and is denied access to company documents or emails.
With a million applications, a hundred thousand shortlisted candidates, and only a thousand invited for interviews, making yourself stand out is crucial. After navigating through applications and tests, demonstrating your value to a recruiter can make all the difference. Here are some powerful yet simple tips to enhance your chances of leaving a lasting impression:
The significance of your pension funds for retirement and old age cannot be overstated. Many employees may underestimate the importance of monthly pension remittances, but this reflects a lack of awareness about employer obligations and retirement planning. It’s crucial to understand that failure to remit these funds into your Retirement Savings Account (RSA) is not just a minor issue—it is actually a criminal offense.
The Pension Act 2014, effective from July 1, 2014, was established to govern and regulate pension funds. The 2014 Pension Reform Act (PRA) has since been introduced to refine and improve this framework.
If you’ve been in the professional world for a while, you’re probably familiar with the usual interview questions like “What is your greatest weakness?” or “Tell me about a time you disagreed with your boss.” But as the job market evolves, so do the questions that recruiters ask.
Here are some of the newer or more refined questions you might encounter in interviews, and how you can prepare for them:
I have had the opportunity to interview applicants seeking jobs at my company for some time now, and I would like to share some of the things that, if done correctly, might have earned them a chance to meet with the Managing Director.
One thing you must keep in mind is that if you do not leave a lasting impression on your interviewer, it will be difficult for them to even call you back. You want to be remembered after the interview, right?
From a graduate to an experienced professional or a seasoned salesperson, this question will be answered differently.
What's most important is to understand that you don't have to respond immediately. Take a few minutes to gather your thoughts before speaking. A salesperson knows their product well, so you should also be familiar with what you’re selling.
Developing a savings culture is crucial for anyone with aspirations and long-term goals. Savings refers to the portion of your income or earnings that you set aside and keep untouched for a period of time. It’s important to distinguish savings from investment, as they serve different purposes. While investments come with risks and market uncertainties, savings provide a safety net to fall back on when needed.
Savings also play a critical role in managing financial challenges that come with significant life changes, such as marriage and having children. These milestones often lead to increased expenses, making it vital to have multiple income sources and a robust savings strategy.
2024, guys... You cannot keep making the same mistakes over and over again... So I want to share very simple, yet important tips when sending an application via email. Note: Please read carefully.
What led to this topic?
Last week, I was privileged to have the opportunity to recruit two new team members, and my HOD insisted that I use my official email to receive resumes. I already anticipated the number of resumes I would get, knowing fully well the rate of unemployment in Nigeria. So, I was unhappy that my email would be very busy with lots of spam.
Unfortunately, we did not currently have any HR software that shuffles CVs: How HR Shuffles CVs.
Nigeria, with a consistent increase in the unemployment rate in recent times, has taken second place in the list of problems the country faces, apart from corruption. Statistics show that over 50% of Nigerian youths are unemployed, while a significant percentage are even underemployed. This rate rose from 23% in 2011 to 29.5% in 2013 and continues to climb.
You would agree that many times you may have applied for a position you are certain you are qualified for, yet were not shortlisted. To understand this better, imagine yourself in the HR personnel's shoes to grasp what they go through.
You work as an HR Officer and have just advertised new vacancies for your company in the newspapers. Given the current unemployment situation in Nigeria, how many applications do you think you would receive? And how do you think you can manage the thousands of CVs coming in every second?
Vicki at Monster says, “If you wait until a recruiter contacts you to help you find a job, you’re missing the boat.”
I firmly believe that productivity in life—almost everything, really—requires proactivity. This means reaching out to recruiters and company HR departments regularly. Setting up job alerts and using job-search strategies like LinkedIn and job fairs are also crucial.
Multiple job holding, commonly known as moonlighting, has become a subject of significant interest for governments and labor analysts worldwide. Its implications on the economy can be both drastic and far-reaching.
Moonlighting occurs when an employee, who is under a contractual agreement with a primary employer, engages in additional work, either legally or illegally, with a secondary employer. This often means that the time the employee should be dedicating to their primary job is spent on other pursuits, which can sometimes be personal.
Human resources, like most career choices, requires that a person has a passion for people development and growth. Your passion for people development is crucial in human resources; without it, your drive may fade after a few months or years on the job.
What fuels your drive to help people, improve their skills, and engage the right employees is passion.
Passion means having the desire to recognize potential in people and/or helping them identify areas where they need to improve to make the most of their lives.
