Henderson Brown Recruitment
Mental Health Awareness Week is an important time to shed light on the various aspects of mental health including its signs and how we acknowledge and work on them. This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is anxiety and the impact it can have on our lives.
One area where it commonly rears its head is during the process of searching for a new job. From the initial stages of seeking opportunities to starting at a new company and experiencing anxiety in your role, the entire journey can be overwhelming.
The Anxiety of Job Searching:
Job searching can be a rollercoaster of emotions, anxiety and uncertainty (whether severe or mild) and it often accompanies every step. The fear of rejection, uncertainty about the future, and the pressure to make the right career move can all contribute to heightened anxiety levels. Constantly crafting CVs, attending interviews, and waiting for responses can be mentally exhausting. Recognizing early symptoms of anxiety during job searching is normal and crucial, but managing it effectively is essential.
Coping with the Process:
- Self-care: Prioritize self-care throughout the job search process. Engage in activities that reduce stress, such as exercise, mindfulness, and spending time with loved ones. Taking breaks from job hunting can help you maintain a healthy mindset.
- Seeking support: Reach out to friends, family, or a recruiter who can provide guidance. Sharing your concerns and seeking reassurance can alleviate some of the anxiety associated with the process. As well as applying for jobs through agencies can help alleviate some of the pressure as you will be guided every step of the way by someone with vast experience on the matter providing clarity throughout the process.
- Time management: Set realistic goals and create a structured routine. Breaking down your job search tasks into manageable steps can help you stay focused and reduce overwhelm.
- Starting at a New Company:
It’s natural to feel apprehensive about starting fresh and adapting to new expectations. colleagues and routine. Here are some strategies to manage this anxiety:
- Preparation: Familiarize yourself with the company’s culture, values, and mission before your start date. This knowledge can help alleviate some anxiety by providing a sense of familiarity. Ask any questions you may have before you start. If you’re anxious about that first day; a day or two beforehand drive down to the site and find out your new route, familiarise yourself with the area so that you are fully prepared.
- Networking: Reach out to future colleagues through professional platforms like LinkedIn, and introduce yourself. Building connections before your start date can ease the anxiety of entering an unfamiliar workplace.
- Embrace a growth mindset: Understand that there will be a learning curve in any new role. Embrace the opportunity to grow and develop your skills and be patient with yourself during the adjustment period. Remember, you would not have got the job if the management didn’t think you were capable- this is as long as you were honest in your interview.
- Anxiety in Your Job: Assessing the Need for a Support Network or Change. If you feel like your anxiety is going to heavily impact you and your work, ensure that you notify the management and seek support.
Sometimes, after a while, despite your best efforts, the anxiety within your job may persist. If there is a lack of support or an unsuitable work environment, it may be time to consider seeking help or exploring other opportunities. Here are signs that indicate it might be time for a change:
- Persistent anxiety: If your anxiety is consistently high and negatively impacting your mental well-being, it’s important to take it seriously. Seek support from a therapist or counsellor who can help you navigate your emotions and provide guidance.
- Lack of support: If your current workplace lacks a supportive network or resources for managing anxiety, it may be beneficial to explore other options. Look for organisations that prioritize employee well-being and have programs in place to address mental health concerns.
- Stagnation and unhappiness: If you find yourself feeling stuck, unchallenged, or unhappy in your role, it could be an indicator that a change is needed. Consider exploring opportunities that align better with your goals, values, and passions.
At Henderson Brown, we understand the significance of mental health and its impact on career decisions. If you find yourself contemplating a change in your career or seeking a fresh start, our team of experienced professionals is here to support you. With our expertise in talent acquisition and our commitment to understanding individual aspirations, we can help guide you towards new opportunities that align with your goals and values. Contact Henderson Brown today and take the first step towards a fulfilling and mentally healthy career journey.
When it comes to finding your next job, having a standout resume is essential. A well-crafted CV can help you stand out from the competition and catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. But with so many applicants vying for the same positions, it can be tough to know how to make your CV shine.
Here are some tips for writing a standout CV that will help you catch the recruiter’s attention.
Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for
One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is sending the same generic CV to every job they apply for. But every job is different, and every employer has unique needs and preferences. By tailoring your CV to the job you’re applying for, you can demonstrate that you understand the employer’s needs and that you have the specific skills and experience they’re looking for.
Start by carefully reviewing the job posting and identifying the key skills, qualifications, and requirements. Then, highlight your relevant experience and achievements that align with those requirements. This can include adjusting your summary statement, adding or rearranging sections, and tweaking the language throughout your CV.
Use clear, concise language
Recruiters and hiring managers are busy people, and they don’t have time to read lengthy or convoluted CVs. To make your CV stand out, use clear, concise language that highlights your achievements and qualifications.
Avoid using jargon or buzzwords that might not be familiar to everyone in your industry. Instead, use simple, straightforward language that anyone can understand. Keep your sentences short and to the point, and use bullet points to break up long blocks of text.
Showcase your achievements
Instead of just listing your job duties, focus on showcasing your achievements and accomplishments. This can include specific projects you worked on, awards you received, or metrics you improved. Use concrete examples and quantifiable results whenever possible to demonstrate your impact.
For example, instead of saying “Managed a team of sales representatives,” you might say “Increased sales revenue by 20% through effective leadership of a team of 10 sales representatives.”
Highlight your soft skills.
Soft skills are the personal attributes and qualities that make you a good employee, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. While hard skills (like technical proficiency) are important, recruiters and hiring managers also want to see that you have the interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively with others.
To showcase your soft skills, include them in your summary statement or in a separate section of your CV. Provide specific examples that demonstrate how you’ve used these skills in your previous roles.
Use a professional format and design
Your CV should be easy to read and visually appealing. Use a professional format and design that makes it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to skim and find the information they’re looking for. Avoid using colourful and busy designs, instead, keep them clear, concise and structured.
Choose a simple, easy-to-read font (like Arial or Times New Roman) and use a consistent layout throughout your CV. Use bold text, italics, or underlining sparingly to highlight key information.
Finally, be sure to proofread your CV carefully for spelling and grammar errors. A well-written and error-free CV will demonstrate your attention to detail and professionalism.
By following these tips, you can write a standout CV that catches the recruiter’s attention and helps you land your next job. Remember to tailor your CV to each job, use clear and concise language, showcase your achievements, highlight your soft skills, and use a professional format and design.
Good luck!
Cattle prices are coming under pressure from slow consumer demand and ample supply, Eblex has warned.
This combination, experienced by both domestic and imported beef, continues to drive some restraint among processors, the red meat levy board reported, resulting in “downward pressures” on the prime cattle market.
In the week ending 18 April prices for all classes of cattle fell – all prime deadweight cattle prices were 3p down on the previous week.
Similar pressures have been felt in the Scottish beef cattle trade, where animals have been kept on farms instead of being sent for slaughter. Eblex said this was giving rise to fears the beef market could return to the crisis point it found itself in last year when the beef price crashed.
However, Debbie Butcher, senior market analyst at Eblex, said this could change as the season moves into its “transitional period”.
“This development has been a feature of the market for a couple of months or so and reflects the continued imbalance in supply and demand. However, with the expectations that cattle supplies are set to tighten, (throughputs in March and April so far suggest this may have already started) the balance in the trade could move into a position that is less out of kilter, in particular as the season moves towards its transitional period between yarded and grass-fed supplies,” Butcher commented.
Eblex reported that lower cattle numbers in Ireland, resulting in fewer imports, could help support the market in the medium term.
“However, with the current fine weather unlikely to stimulate demand for roasting cuts, it is likely that caution among processors could persist in the short term, which, coupled with the euro exchange rate and its impact on the competitiveness of UK product on the continent, continues to offer some downside risk to the trade,” Butcher concluded.
Crawshaws Butchers saw sales rise 17% in the year ending 31 January 2015, helped by a new site opening.
The company’s year-end results to the end of January revealed that total group sales rose from £21 million (m) in 2014 to £24.6m, with profit before tax standing at £1.2m.
Average customer spend has continued to rise, according to Crawshaws, up 3.5% to £6.22 versus last year. The company explained that this was down to a focus on larger value packs and multi-buy offers. Customer numbers are 3.2% higher than last year “driven by our hot cooked products as we improve the range and consistency of our lunchtime and take-home offer”, the report added.
Chairman Richard Rose said: “I am pleased to say that, in November, we moved from three separate head office and factory locations into one newly refurbished facility in Rotherham. This single location can now support up to 60 shops and also contains a new factory shop, which is performing well above expectations.”
Crawshaws Butchers has 22 retail outlets, as well as a manufacturing and distribution centre, across Yorkshire, Humberside, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
The company said: “In line with our growth strategy, we have now successfully launched 10 new shops in Retford, Castleford, Chesterfield, Mansfield, Huddersfield, Doncaster, Bramley, Derby, Sheffield and, more recently, a factory shop at our head office site in Rotherham.”
Crawshaws has a plan to open 200 shops, and Rose added: “The post-year-end acquisition of Gabbotts Farm has provided 11 additional profitable shops and a distribution centre in the north west of England. We have also recently signed leases on new shops in Leeds and Bolton, which are currently being fitted out. In addition, there are a number of other locations in the process of being signed up.”
Welsh Beef and Lamb will receive a €4.1 million boost to promote Welsh PGI meat across Europe, it was announced this morning (13 November 2014)
Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans, made the announcement during Hybu Cig Cymru’s (HCC) annual conference in Llanelli this morning. The European Commission has approved the funding, which will see HCC spend €4.1m – or just over £3.2m – on the promotion of Welsh Beef and Lamb in Germany and Italy and Welsh Lamb alone in Denmark and Sweden.
HCC’s market development manager Laura Pickup said these markets were chosen because distribution networks for Welsh red meat already exist there.
Similarly to Eblex’s latest European funding announcement, the European Commission will contribute half of the €4.1m with HCC making up the other
“This is excellent news for the Welsh red meat sector,” said HCC chief executive Gwyn Howells. “This €4.1m funding will provide a significant boost for our efforts to raise awareness of the high standards that Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef have to achieve in order to qualify for PGI status.
“It is particularly gratifying to know that our stewardship of the previous scheme has been judged to be a success by the European Commission – so much so that they have awarded us another €4m to continue our work.
“Raising awareness of the qualities that have earned Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef PGI status will have a beneficial effect on farmers and processors here in Wales. I hope it will lead to increased overseas orders as awareness of the PGI stamp grows, boosting sales and helping the Welsh economy,” Howells concluded.
HCC said the promotional activity will include print and digital advertising, posters and recipe booklets for retailers, as well as attendance at trade and consumer food shows.