How to get over the post-summer blues

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So summer’s over, you are back at work with a fading tan, feeling gloomy as the nights draw in. This can make getting out of bed to get to work the morning harder. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one and we completely feel your pain! We have come up with a list of ways that you can use to stay upbeat at work this autumn.

  1. Book next year’s holiday – Give yourself something to look forward to by booking next year’s holiday early. You can bag the dates you want before your colleagues and get the best travel deals by booking early.
  2. Give yourself a winter break – You don’t have to wait a whole year to have another holiday, why not give yourself a treat this winter and escape to a log cabin for a long weekend?
  3. Reassess your job – It might not be the weather that’s the only thing getting you down, maybe it’s your job that’s the problem. You may need to look at your current employment situation and ask yourself if you’re achieving everything you want to. If you find that it is your job getting you down, you’ve raised the subject with your boss and had no joy, now is the perfect time to job hunt. If you leave it until January a lot of the best jobs will have been filled already and the competition will be stiffer.
  4. Exercise – Get outside for a walk or a run through the autumn leaves and feel those exercise induced endorphins kick in. It’s amazing the difference it makes, keeping you cheerful even whilst sitting in yet another meeting.
  5. Get inspired – Hopefully you already have an inspirational boss at work, but you can also find inspiration elsewhere. It can be easy to slow down when the winter months hit, so to ensure you don’t stop altogether, make a list of things that inspire you or things you want to achieve. You might also include searching for people who inspire you professionally on sites such as LinkedIn, to see how they got to where they are now and read their success stories online.

 

5 Ways to Make Friends at Work

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  1. Introducing yourself – This may seem obvious, but being the first to introduce yourself, gives a great first impression of a friendly and approachable personality, instantly making the other worker feel they can easily strike up a conversation with you.
  2. Showing an interest/small talk – This again may feel like an obvious one, but engaging with small talk, asking questions and showing a genuine interest in your colleague’s life can go a long way. You may find that you have a lot in common and similar interests.
  3. Going for lunch – Lunchtime is the perfect time to get to know a fellow colleague, asking if they want to go for lunch with you instantly makes them feel included and part of a team.
  4. After work drinks – This is also another great way to get to know your colleagues in a more relaxed and informal environment. You’ll be amazed at the stories you’ll hear!
  5. Local events – Similarly, have a look to see if there are any events taking place near to your office. This could be as simple as a film showing at a local cinema, a comedy night at a local pub or a BBQ in the park to bring workers together to know each other.

Why and How to Boost Your Social Media Profile

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If you are a bit half-hearted about the whole Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn thing, think carefully. In the same way you wouldn’t go to an interview without looking up and researching the people you are going to meet, potential employers can and absolutely WILL be checking you out too.

It’s not just about creating a first impression, but also ensuring you don’t blow your chances. For example, your beautifully crafted CV might say you want to be a pharmacist, but if your social media profile is all about your plans to set up your own upholstery business or disappear off travelling for 12 months, you are less likely to get the pharmacy job you just applied for. No matter how brilliant your academic background, if your social image is poor companies are not likely to want to be associated with you. According to Press Room, more than half of employers today have found content on social media which caused them not to hire a candidate. It also shows that 70% of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates during the hiring process, 49% check up on current employees, as well as 34% having reprimanded or fired an employee based on content found online.

On the plus side, used correctly and responsibly, social media platforms can help you stand out from the crowd and enhance your professional image.

Here are some tips:

  • Use the same profile image across all networks. Consistency is key; the more you look the same in feeds across sites, the more you’ll stay in people’s minds.
  • Delete any unwise posts and bad photos. Think, ‘Would I want an employer to see this?’ and review tags regularly.
  • Make sure you are discovered in searches by finding out what people search for when looking for professionals in your sector and mirror the keywords.
  • Fill in all the fields in your profile so that you appear professional and committed, rather than not bothered and lazy.
  • Build your social trust by asking past and present colleagues and clients for reviews, endorsements and recommendations. Write recommendations for others too, without them having to ask.
  • Write clearly, succinctly and in the first person. This is your chance to showcase your career highlights and ability to communicate.
  • Make yourself contactable. Add links to your other social profiles, website and contact details. Then test those links.

 

Ask the Recruiter – Tips for a Good First Day

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Dear Media Contacts

My son is starting his first job since graduating from university and I’ve never seen him so nervous. I really want to help him to relax and be well prepared for his big day. I also don’t think I can deal with a stressed-out son around the house any longer! I’m desperate for your advice.

Many thanks,

Sue

 

Dear Sue

We’re more than happy to help. This is a typical question we are asked by worried friends and family members. Starting your first proper job can be daunting, and it’s perfectly normal for your son to feel a bit anxious. Here are some tips so he can concentrate on being happy and excited instead.

  1. Preparation – No-one wants to be late on their first day; remind him to make sure his clothes are washed, ironed and ready to wear so he doesn’t have to decide what to put on in the morning. Encourage him to check travel arrangements and make notes of any delays and alternative routes.
  2. Relaxation – He might well have a restless night with the nerves but having a relaxing bath to unwind as well as an early night will really make a difference in the morning, so he’s switched on and can survive the day without guzzling gallons of coffee!
  3. Fuel – They might be too nervous to be hungry, but a decent breakfast will prevent hunger induced nausea and tummy rumbling.
  4. Lunch – Hopefully his new colleagues will take him to lunch on his first day, but it’s not a bad idea to have a sandwich with him just in case.
  5. Boost – A simple ‘good luck’ or ‘how’s it going?’ message can really go a long way.
  6. New Job Survival Kit – Whether you make this yourself or buy one online. A new job survival kit will at least raise a smile and makes a novel alternative to a good luck card.

How Media Recruiters Can Help Graduates Break Into The Media Industry

Posted by On Filed under Advertising & PR, Communication PR, Design & Creative, Editorial, Employee hunting, Engineering, Events, Fashion, General, Graduate, Healthcare PR, HR & Personnel, Interview tips, Job description, Job hunting, Media, Media, Pharmaceuticals, Public Sector & Government, Recruitment Consultancy, Recruitment Consultancy, Sales
How Media Recruiters Can Help Graduates Break Into The Media Industry

It is that time of year again when the final academic term ends and floods of fresh talent hit the job market! As the media industry continues to evolve and expand in scope, it is becoming one of the hardest industries to break into. However, to have a good recruitment consultant on your side can really help you to find and apply for jobs in a more targeted and effective way. Whether you’re looking for a job as a medical writer or a conference producer, an account executive or want to try sales for example, as specialists they already know the key players, where the jobs are and how to get them, so they are the best people to get in touch with.

Skills and Experience

Graduates tend to have a unique skill set, they are naturally tech-savvy innovators and social media gurus; key skills that employers are seeking in this new digital age. However, a degree alone is not going to set you apart from other graduates, understanding the importance of gaining experience is vital and that is what will keep your CV from being brushed under the pile. Here at Media Contacts we hold CV workshops to show you what to include and how to present it, enabling you to put your best CV forward to employers.

Salary and Incentives

According to The Sutton Trust, who work to raise aspirations of young people from low income backgrounds, graduates leave UK universities with an average of £44,000 of debt! Comparing this figure to the average graduate annual salary of £18,000 – £22,000, it starts to become apparent how your first pay packet can be a harsh wake up call. However, most companies have great benefits packages, offering incentives including health insurance, pension schemes, free gym memberships and a generous amount of paid holiday. Media recruiters will fight your corner to negotiate you the best salary and incentives package, leaving you free to concentrate on other things.

Top Tips for Graduates

  • Social Media

Potential employers will look through your social media. FACT. So make sure it’s clean! Showcase your skills and experience in a professional manner that reflects what is on your CV. After all, if you’re are applying for jobs in PR but your LinkedIn page says you want to be a superhero, it doesn’t look good.

  • Experience

Determination is essential to break into a competitive industry, experience is critical when job hunting, therefore DO ANYTHING YOU CAN to get a head start while at university, even if it means taking on unpaid but relevant roles.

  • Know your stuff

As well as having experience within the industry, conduct some thorough research and find out relevant information from as many sources, including, but not limited to subscribing to industry magazines, attending graduate career fairs and asking people you know already if they have any contacts. This will help you to keep up to date with what is going on, who is who and which companies are doing what.

Media Contacts is one of the top media recruitment consultancies in London, you can contact us if you have any questions and our experienced consultants will be happy to help.