Hays UK jobs and employment blog

Tweet   Summer is officially here. However, aside from some unexpected rain, there is one thing that is sure to put a dampener on any employer’s enjoyment of the hot weather: being short-staffed due to holidays when deadlines are looming or customer demand is peaking. Of course, you and your colleagues have earned your...

Pride is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and a reminder that we should be free to be ourselves. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots that served as a catalyst for the Gay Rights Movement so if we ever needed an excuse to celebrate, there it is! I travel a lot in my job and this year there definitely seems to more companies flying the flag for the LGBTQ+...

Skype interviews have become a common feature of the recruitment process, so don’t be surprised if your prospective employer suggests a virtual meet-up ahead of a  face-to-face interview . Instead, use these steps to prepare your brilliant (virtual) first impression. 1. Set the scene First and foremost, think about where you are going to have your Skype interview – your home...

Job interviews can be a daunting prospect. However, the best way to banish the butterflies is through preparation. To help you with this, I’ve outlined the 3 most common types of interview questions, and how you should be answering them. The 3 types of job interview question We have broken down the 3 most common types of interview questions. Crucially, we have also explained...

You’ve been visualising this day repeatedly in your head - that final day of term before the summer holidays. Last bell, books down and walking out of the school gates… Before you can truly luxuriate in that holiday feeling make sure that you have taken some time to reflect on everything you have achieved this year and determine what you would like to accomplish going forward. Get the...

“It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so that they can tell us what to do.”  Steve Jobs, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Apple Inc “I surround myself with people who have knowledge and talents in areas where I might not be so well versed.”  Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group “I will only hire someone...

The role of executive assistant (EA) is changing, evolving to make better use of technology and offer more strategic input into business operations. To keep up with the rapid pace of change, both aspiring and experienced PAs and EAs need to take steps to operate more as business managers than traditional assistants. To find out how best to do this, we spoke to Lisa Neath, an...

It is undeniable that many organisations today are navigating an often-uncertain market, from political uncertainty and economic pressures through to the digital transformation of the workplace. Procurement teams must therefore be more adaptable than ever before to be able to continue delivering optimal solutions for their organisation. The result of the changes taking place all around...

According to the renowned American psychologist, Dr. Martin Seligman, there is a simple formula which can be used to boost happiness and wellbeing: the ‘PERMA’ model. This formula is made up of five elements, which includes positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and achievement. To help explain more about how we can apply this in the workplace, we spoke with Gordon...

Are you a data scientist and budding writer who wants to set up your own magazine? Perhaps you’re a busy managerial accountant who dreams of one day running photography workshops at the weekends? Or maybe you’re a teacher who wants to generate additional income by selling your metalwork sculptures? These are all real stories of real people that have successfully set up their own ‘side...

Have you recently finished education and are now about to take your first step into the world of professional work? If so, then creating your first graduate  CV may feel like a difficult task, given that you don’t have much professional experience to your name yet, and the advice your careers counsellor gave you at school is now outdated or forgotten. Understandably, you may be...

Approximately 1 in 6 people of working age will be affected by a mental health condition in any given week, according to the mental health charity Mind. As an issue that affects millions of us, it should be considered part of an employer’s ethical responsibility to cultivate a workplace environment that is supportive of anyone experiencing a mental health condition. With that in mind,...

This Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May) we look at how schools can promote good practice and support the wellbeing of teachers. The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2018, a report generated by the Educational Support Partnership, notes that 67% of education professionals describe themselves as stressed and 31% have experienced a mental health issue in the past academic year. Worryingly, 57%...

Technology is evolving at an exponential rate. Computer processing speeds double every 18 months. This means that the capacity of technology is not just increasing – it is accelerating. Consider this: the first personal computers only arrived 40 years ago, and it was not commonplace to own one. Today, we live by the glow of our smartphones – portable computers, each millions of times...

If you’re considering, or have ever considered becoming a recruiter, there has never been a better time to get on board. Hays Construction & Property has continued to grow over our 50-year history. We now operate in  60 UK & Ireland offices , and have the largest office network and geographical coverage of any recruiter in the sector. So, we think we’ve got a fairly good idea...

Standing out from the crowd is often challenging in the job application process, especially when you are up against hundreds of other applicants. You may be wondering; how do I grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager. The answer is simple – it is the ability to answer these 3 vital questions: 1. What interests you about this job, company, and industry? 2. What...

Launched in 2014, Starling Bank is one of the fastest growing challenger banks. In this Hays Journal, founder and CEO Anne Boden tells us why she believes the finance industry still has a long way to go when it comes to diversity. Anne Boden is not somebody who is afraid of change. Having studied Computer Science and Chemistry at Swansea University, she switched her focus to join a...

Many studies indicate that wellbeing programmes can improve productivity and retention. But is making such programmes compulsory a help or hindrance to organisations and their workforces? In the latest  Hays Journal , we explore the potential benefits and pitfalls of enforcing participation. You would be hard pushed to find anybody who is willing to argue the case against wellness...

Who are you? What have you achieved? Why are you the right person for the job? These are all questions a strong CV should instantly answer for the reader. Think of this document as your own living, breathing personal marketing pitch, a marketing pitch that should constantly evolve as you grow and develop as a professional. It was none other than Leonardo da Vinci, over 500 years ago,...

For some, people management just isn’t their cup of tea. From training and development to managing employee relations, managing others isn’t the career path they want to take. Maybe you would rather spend your time developing an area of knowledge that you are truly passionate about. Whatever the reason, your career progression options are not limited. There are non-people management...