Not Having a Strong CV

Your CV is one of the most important parts of your job search. It’s often the first impression a potential employer will have of you. Even if you use a quality CV maker template, making mistakes on your CV can immediately disqualify you from consideration.

Some common CV mistakes include:

• Typos and grammatical errors – Proofread thoroughly and have others review it too.
• Unclear formatting – Use clear headings, bullet points, and white space.
• Irrelevant information – Only include details directly related to the jobs you’re applying for.
• Gaps in employment – Briefly explain any resume gaps so they don’t raise questions.
• Lack of quantification – Use facts and figures to quantify your achievements.
• Outdated contact info – Double check your email, phone number and postal address are current.

Having a strong CV is essential for a successful job search. Take the time to perfect this document and ensure it puts your best foot forward.

Not Customising Your Applications

While having a strong generic CV is useful, failing to customise your full application for each role limits your chances of success. Hiring managers can easily spot generic applications that haven’t been adapted for their open position.

Make sure to:

• Tweak your CV – Highlight different skills and experience to match the job description.
• Update your cover letter – Reflect the company values and requirements in your letter.
• Do your research – Find out key facts about the company to mention.
• Answer the questions – Follow any application instructions carefully.

The extra effort will demonstrate your true interest in the company and role.

Applying For Too Many or Too Few Jobs

How many jobs should you apply for? Applying for too many roles can be just as detrimental as applying for too few. Spreading yourself too thin across many applications makes it hard to customise properly. However, only applying for one or two dream jobs may not be realistic.

Aim to apply for 5-10 roles per week that are a good match for your skills and interests. Focus on quality over quantity in your applications. Sign up for job alerts to find new relevant openings to apply for regularly.

Having An Unprofessional Social Media Presence

A sloppy social media presence can ruin your job search. Employers may look up applicants online and make judgements from photos, posts and comments.

Now is the time for an audit of your social media profiles. Check for any unprofessional images, content and interactions. Increase your privacy settings if needed. Google yourself to see what comes up and address any issues.

Even if you have a private profile, be cautious about what you post during your job search. You never know when an acquaintance may share your posts with a potential employer. Play it safe and avoid anything controversial.

Not Preparing For Interviews

Congratulations, your applications have earned you an interview! But without preparation, you may not progress past this stage. Failing to practice your answers or learn about the role and company in advance can lead to bombing the interview.

Make sure you:

• Know your own resume and qualifications inside out
• Research the company, products/services, mission and issues
• Review commonly asked interview questions
• Prepare stories to showcase your skills and experience
• Practice aloud to polish your responses and delivery
• Plan your interview attire in advance

With thorough preparation, you’ll feel confident and ready for any questions that come your way.

Not Following Up After Applying

You submitted a great application, but radio silence followed. What should you do next? Follow up! Don’t let your application get lost in the mix.

About a week after applying, it’s appropriate to get in touch:

• Email to reiterate your interest in the role
• Make a phone call to try to speak with the recruiter or hiring manager
• Check whether they received your application materials

This shows initiative and determination. Keep following up respectfully until you receive a final response. If ultimately unsuccessful, ask for feedback on your application.

Job searching can be complex, but being aware of potential pitfalls will help you avoid them. Craft an amazing CV, customise your applications, apply to suitable roles, clean up your social media, prepare thoroughly for interviews and follow up. By avoiding these common mistakes and putting your best foot forward, you can feel confident in a successful job search.

The post Common Job Search Mistakes and How to Avoid Them appeared first on EMC UK.

The gender pay gap, which measures the difference in median hourly pay between men and women, has long been a benchmark for gender inequality in the workplace. However, the latest analysis highlights specific professions where women are earning significantly more than men.

At the top of the list are community and civil enforcement occupations, where women earn an average of 28.9% more than men. These roles typically involve ensuring that drivers comply with parking regulations by issuing fines. On average, women in these positions earn £16.11 per hour, while men earn £12.50, a difference of £3.61.

Welfare professionals come in second, with a pay gap of 20.9% favouring women. These professionals are involved in mentoring, advocacy, rehabilitation services, and overseeing adoption processes. Women in these roles earn an average hourly wage of £20.77, £3.59 more than their male counterparts, who earn £17.18 per hour.

Third on the list are biological scientists, where the pay gap stands at 20.6%. Women in this field, who study living organisms and their environments, earn £20.30 per hour, while men earn £16.84, resulting in a difference of £3.46 per hour.

Hire services managers and proprietors, who are responsible for managing businesses or teams, rank fourth. In these roles, women earn an average of £14.52 per hour, £2.45 more than men, who earn £12.07. This difference represents a pay gap of 20.3%.

The fifth-ranked role is that of personal assistants and other secretaries. Women in these administrative roles earn £14.37 per hour, compared to men who earn £12.27, marking a 17.1% pay gap in favour of women.

Special needs education teaching professionals are sixth on the list, with women earning 16.8% more than men. These professionals support children with emotional, behavioural, or learning difficulties, as well as physical disabilities. Women in this field earn £24.66 per hour, while men earn £21.12.

Veterinarians rank seventh, with a 14.3% pay gap. Women in this role, who treat injuries and illnesses in animals, earn £25.09 per hour, £3.14 more than men, who earn £21.95.

Eighth on the list are occupational therapists, with women earning 13.2% more than men. These professionals assist people with physical, mental, or social disabilities in performing everyday activities. Women in this field earn £20.85 per hour, compared to £18.42 for men.

Social and humanities scientists, who study and analyse human behaviour, rank ninth. Women in this role earn £20.42 per hour, 12.4% more than men, who earn £18.16.

Finally, publicans and managers of licensed premises, such as pubs or bars, are tenth on the list. Women in these roles earn £15.10 per hour, £1.55 more than men, who earn £13.55, resulting in an 11.4% pay gap.

Michael Dinich, a spokesperson fromWealth of Geeks, commented on the findings: “It is fascinating to see such a drastic difference in hourly pay between men and women in these roles. Many women across the UK may have been the victim of the gender pay gap for years, but it is interesting to see which job roles they are now able to earn more than men; the findings could even inspire a career change for some.”

The findings reveal a significant shift in the traditional gender pay dynamics within these professions, suggesting that in certain areas, women are not only catching up but surpassing men in earnings. This research offers a fresh perspective on the ongoing conversation around pay equity in the workplace.

The post Women Outearn Men in Top 10 UK Job Roles, New Research Reveals appeared first on EMC UK.

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