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Signs It’s Time To Change Your Job

Signs It’s Time To Change Your Job

There will always be times when we think “is this the right job/company for me?” Edge Careers has taken a look at a few signs that the time may of come to change your job.

You’re bored all the time

Although boredom is a very standard feeling, prolonged feelings of boredom while at work can be a warning sign that you are not doing being pushed hard enough or don’t have enough to do in your role.

If you’re spending most of your workday on the internet shopping or playing games, or if you’re checking the time frequently at work, those are key indicators.

Your skills aren’t being utilised

We all know that sometimes you have to take whatever you can get, stick it out for a while and, hopefully, prove to your boss that you’re capable of managing more responsibilities.

But if you’ve been doing this awhile, and you’re still stuck in a position that doesn’t allow you to utilize your skills, then it’s time to start considering changing your job.

You’re not growing

It is easy to stay in a job that you can do your everyday tasks without challenge, but by staying in this position you are not developing/growing your skills and thus your career prospects will be shrinking.

If you have asked for a change in your company to challenge and develop your skills more, but nothing has happened, it may be time to consider a new job.

You can’t picture yourself at your company in a year

When you think of the year ahead, are you still with your current company? Or do you picture yourself elsewhere? If your answer is the latter then you are not committed to your company and it is time for you to move on.

You dread Mondays

We all get the Monday blues, but for most of us it is not that we dread the thought of going into work, it’s just that we can’t have a lie in.

If the thought of going to work is what is causing your dread of Mondays, it may be that you don’t actually enjoy what you are currently doing and is a sign that you need to find yourself a job/company that will end the dreaded Monday feeling.

You just know

When it comes to knowing that things aren’t right, your gut is the best way of knowing. You know the saying “listen to your gut”.

If you’ve been actively job searching, talking about quitting and you feel it’s the right thing to do, it may be time to listen and change your job.

 

If you have found that it is time for you to move jobs, then register you details with Edge Careers here.

 

Signs It's Time To Change Your Job

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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How To Handle A Counter Offer

How To Handle A Counter Offer

Receiving a counter offer is a common part of the recruitment process. When you tell your boss that you are leaving, they may do what they can to keep you.

At some point in a career most people will have received a counter offer. It is a nice feeling to think your current company (which you may not be dead set on leaving) wants to keep you.

Once you have been counter offered you will be asking yourself the big question, do I stay or do I go? Edge Careers have taken a look at some points for you to consider when you’re trying to make this decision.

Delayed Offer

Why has it taken you to say that you are leaving the company for them to then offer you a pay rise or a promotion? Surely if they truly valued you in their business they would have already put you on the best salary and in the best position within the company.

You need to ask yourself, am I really valued and appreciated or am I just another body within the company?

Reason for Leaving

Why are you looking to leave the company in the first place? Is it solely for more money or is their an underlining issue?

If it was just for a pay rise then accepting a counter offer is probably the best thing to do as you are already in a job and company you know. If however there is an underlining issue it is important for you to remember that this issue will still exist even with the pay rise and/or promotion.

A lot of people who accept a counter offer usually end up leaving their current company anyway as the reason for leaving hasn’t changed.

Added Pressure

Yes moving to a new company is going to be a stressful and nervous experience, but thinking you are playing it safe by staying with your current company may not be as easy as you think.

Accepting a counter offer from your current employer could bring on additional stress with an additional workload and higher expectation. Also, you have now shown that you are willing to leave the company so your loyalty will now be in question.

 

Be careful when you come to receiving a counter offer and take these points into account. Also one of our Permanent Recruitment Consultants, Stuart Smith, wrote an article on accepting a counter offer which you can view here.

If you are looking for a career move within construction or engineering, register your details with us here.

 

How To Handle A Counter Offer

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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EU Referendum – Affect On The Construction Industry

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EU Referendum – Affect on the Construction Industry

EU Referendum

With one of the biggest votes in British history taking place this week, we take a look at the affect it will have on the construction industry.

In 2014, the UK construction industry directly employed 2.1 million people and contributed £103 billion to the UK economy. This equated to 6.3% of all UK jobs, and 6.5% of total economic output.

Infrastructure

As a member of the EU, the UK has access to European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Fund (EIF), who have invested €7.8 billion for major infrastructure projects, and lended €665.8 million to SMEs, respectively, in 2015.

These are significant sums of money that have driven infrastructure forward in the UK, and as an EU member state, the UK is eligible for bank financing operations.

A loss of both funding streams could have a significant impact on project delivery and start-ups across the UK, so they would need to be replaced in some capacity.

Imports and exports

China is the only non-EU state in the top five UK import markets, and EU imports accounted for 59% of total construction material imports.

The loss of free movement of goods, coupled with the potential introduction of tariffs, could either push construction sector firms to look inward and purchase domestic materials, or increase the cost of production through imported materials.

The free movement of goods benefits UK exporters selling their product(s) to EU member states when compared to non-EU states (without a pre-existing trade agreement in place).

In the event of Brexit, strict EU regulations, whilst not applying to the UK, would still have to be adhered to when exporting to an EU state.

On the flip side the UK would be able to develop and negotiate its own trade agreements with the EU and other large importing countries, such as China and the USA.

Labour

RICS’ Construction Market Survey indicated UK-wide increases in workloads, but decreasing number of skilled workers.

Construction firms have been looking to other EU member states to fill the gap.

If immigration is limited, particularly for skilled workers, the UK will witness higher project expenditures where labour demand outstrips supply.

Alternatively, a UK-set migration system could allow the UK to pinpoint the skilled workers it requires.

However, with the quantity of programmes and projects, the UK may not have an adequate level of investment and development that would necessitate a high(er) number of construction staff.

Procurement

EU procurement is now a stringent and obligatory framework of directives and regulations which inhibits bribery and corruption, and increases competition through the provision of best value for money.

All EU firms can bid for EU member state public procurement contracts free from discrimination.

A Brexit could allow UK public procurement to stipulate the use of “UK firms and materials only”, thus being a tool to support UK-based and enterprises.

VAT

EU statute imposes a VAT on the consumption of goods and services, with UK reduced rates relating to the built environment include 5% VAT on residential energy, insulation and renovations, and 0% VAT for new building construction.

VAT acts as a disincentive for works to be considered, with a cut aiding local SMEs and the wider UK economy: evidenced by additional jobs and economic stimulus it could provide between 2015 and 2020.

A post-Brexit Government could alter VAT arrangements to encourage purchase and investment – from a small to large scale – in specific goods and services.

 

*All stats and figures for this article come from a post by RICS.

 

EU Referendum

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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Tricky Interview Questions and How To Answer Them

Tricky Interview Questions and How To Answer Them

Being prepared for an interview makes it easier for you to show what you are truly capable of. Edge Careers have taken a look at some of the trickiest questions asked at interview and how you should answer them.

What is your biggest weakness?

This question can be a difficult one as you are being asked about your shortcomings, when your instinct, in an interview situation, is to keep your weaknesses as well hidden as possible. What you can do is frame your answer to give it a positive spin.

Strengths and weaknesses can be switched into the same thing, so another way to approach this question is to think about how you overcome the potential downside of your greatest strength. For example, if you’re a natural teamworker, is it difficult for you to cope with conflict or assume leadership abilities? How do you cope with this?

Why do you think you will be successful in this job?

You should not use this as an invitation to boast – you are being asked to match your strengths to the qualities needed to do the job. Don’t forget, it’s a very specific question. Why are you suited to this job, as opposed to any other? Thorough employer research will help you answer this question, as it will enable you to match your skills, interests and experience to the job role and the company.

Have you ever had a bad experience with an employer?

This question is a test of your ability to think on your feet and come up with a diplomatic response. Whether you sidestep the question by saying you’ve always got on well with your employers, or describe a tricky situation you’ve experienced that highlights your potential, you need to avoid attacking your previous employers. Also, be aware not to incriminate yourself.

Give an example of a time when you handled a major crisis.

This is similar to asking ‘Can you give an example of a time when you had to cope with a difficult situation?’ or ‘Give an example of a time when you had to cope under pressure’. However, ‘crisis’ is a much stronger word. You may find it easier to give an example if you think back and come up with a time when you had to cope with an unexpected problem.

Where do you expect to be in five years’ time?

This is another question that allows you to show off your employer research and understanding of your chosen career path. You’ll want to come across as enthusiastic, but not arrogant. Tailor your response to reflect the nature of the organisation, the sector, and your own experiences and skills.

What motivates you?

You are particularly likely to be asked about your motivation in a strengths-based interview, which focuses on what you enjoy doing and what you do well. Your answer should draw on an example from your extracurricular activities, work experience or studies that suggests you would be strongly motivated by the job you are applying for.

How do you manage your time and prioritise tasks?

When an interviewer asks how you manage your time, don’t just give an example of a time when you did this successfully. Your interviewer wants to know your tactics and strategies for getting yourself organised, so whatever approach you use to prioritising and listing your tasks, you should be ready to describe it.

Give an example of a time when you showed initiative.

If an interviewer asks you to describe a situation in which you showed initiative, avoid giving an example of an idea you had but never put into action. It’s much better to talk about a time when you not only came up with a solution to a problem but also acted on it. Then you can explain the effect your decision had when you put it into practice.

 

If you are looking for a new job in construction or engineering, register your details with Edge Careers here.

 

Tricky interview questions and how to answer them

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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Choosing The Right Recruitment Agency For You

Choosing the right recruitment agency for you

choosing the right recruitment agency

Working in the construction industry, where the need for quality staff is growing and the number of skilled workers is shrinking, recruitment agencies are playing a vital role. Love them or Loath them, recruitment agencies are key to the growth of your business.

If you require staff to work for your company, but you do not have the time or resources to find the perfect candidate, then a recruitment agency will be required and choosing the right one can be a hard decision.

Choosing the right recruitment agency will be the difference between receiving quality or unsuitable candidates. You will need to make sure to find one that will take a proactive headhunt approach and not just sift through job boards.

Most recruitment agencies will claim to be the best at what they do and understand the industry they are working in, but only a few actually do. It is key that when you select a recruitment consultancy, you test their knowledge so that you can be reassured that they do know what you are looking for.

The same goes for candidates. Choosing the right recruitment agency to represent you will be the key to how you are presented to a client. A lot of agencies will get your CV and shoot it across to every contractor they can think of, only a few will actually take the time to understand what you are looking for in your next career move. At Edge Careers, we aim to meet with every candidate to build a profile on exactly what you are looking for and we will agree a target list of companies that we will put your details forward to.

It is important that as a candidate you agree a list of target companies so that you can keep track of where your CV has gone. A company receiving your CV multiple times will devalue your position as a candidate.

A good recruitment agency will stay with you through the whole process to offer guidance and assistance, sticking with you after you have started your new job to make sure you are happy with the company you have moved to.

To work with a recruitment agency who does genuinely understand the industry they are recruiting for, register your vacancy with Edge Careers here.

If you are looking for a new role and want an agency who will take the time to understand what you are looking for, then register your CV with us here.

 

Why Are Recruitment Agencies Important

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

 

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Oliver Smith And Fabio Barreto Join Edge Careers

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Edge Careers are excited to unveil our new dynamic duo, Oliver Smith and Fabio Barreto, who have both joined our Permanent team as Recruitment Consultants.

 

Ollie and Fabio New Starters

 

Oliver (Ollie) seen here on the left, the first of our new starters, gained a Degree in Business Management, before quickly becoming involved in the recruitment industry. Oliver sees his role at Edge Careers as a brilliant opportunity to build a career and become part of an influential and successful team.

Fabio the second of our new starters, seen here on the right, has a passion for sport, studying Sports Science at College and later gained a degree in Law. After finishing his degree, Fabio decided to make the next step in his career and become a Recruitment Consultant.
Fabio is truly passionate about the fundamentals of recruitment – from spotting talent, to match making, negotiation and in the end, placing the right candidate in the right role with the right business.
Fabio is relatively new to the recruitment world, but his passion and determination will help him excel in his role and become an integral member of the Edge Careers team.

All of us at Edge Careers would like to wish both Oliver and Fabio the best of luck in their new roles.

To contact our Permanent team about any recruitment requirements call 01905 827207.

New Starter

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

 

 

 

 

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Preparing For An Interview

Preparing for an interview

An interview can be a stressful and scary experience, so Edge Careers has taken a look at how to prepare for your interview.

Research the company

At the very least, have a look at the company’s website to familiarise yourself with their history and what they do. Googling the company should quickly bring up any recent news articles about them.

Conducting your research can give you questions to ask during your interview and this will show the interviewer that you have an interest in the company as a whole and not just the position you have applied for.

Plan your journey

It sounds like one of the simplest things to do, but it is crucial. Being late will not give the interviewer a good impression of you.

Make sure you know where you’re going, how to get there and then leave plenty of time for your journey. Aim to get there at least five minutes before your interview is due to start, so you have time to compose yourself.

Practice your interview questions

Preparing for all types of questions is the best way to prevent being caught off-guard on the day. You don’t want to start panicking while trying to think of answers that present your skills in the best light.

Confidence is key, so try practicing either by yourself or get a friend to quiz you.

Compare your skills and qualifications to the job requirements.

If you have been given a job specification you can compare how the skills and qualifications you have put on your CV match , it also allows you to anticipate some of the questions that you may be asked i.e. “How can you incorporate your skills into this role?”

 

Making sure you are prepared for your interview allows you to sell yourself in the best light and ultimately land you a new job.

 

Preparing For An Interview

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

 

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Questions To Ask At An Interview

Questions To Ask At An Interview

Questions To Ask At AN Interview

An interview should be used not only for an employer to see if you are suitable for their position, but also for you as the candidate to see if the company is a right fit for you.

Asking questions during an interview is one of the best ways for you to judge whether or not a company is suited to you.

Edge Careers has taken a look at some of the best questions you can ask during an interview.

Can you tell me more about the company?

Although research on the company should be done before the interview, it is good to get an insight into the company from someone who works there. By asking this question not only do you get further information on the company but you also get a perspective of what it is like to work there.

What are the future prospects for the role?

Asking this question not only allows you to get an idea of how you can progress within the company, but it also allows you to show that you have the drive and ambition to progress within the business.

What are the company’s plans for the future?

This questions shows that you are interested in the company as a whole and not just the position you are interviewing for and enables you to see how ambitious the company is.

How many people are in the team?

If you are going to be working within a large team, it is good to get an idea of what the others do and how that will be linked to the role that you are interviewing for. It will also allow you to get an idea of how the team is structured.

Is this post a new or existing one?

This can help give you an idea of what’s expected of you, and can lead to a wider discussion. If it is a new post, then ask why it’s been created or how your performance will be measured. If it’s an existing position, ask who you’ll be replacing.

What are the day to day responsibilities of the role?

It may be that the interviewer has only discussed the responsibilities of the job as a whole, so you will need to get an idea of what will be expected of you on a day to day basis.

 

It may not be necessary to ask all of these questions during an interview as it may be that they have already been covered, but you should always have them written down so an interviewer can see that you have thought about what you want to gain from the interview.

 

Questions To Ask At An Interview

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

 

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Writing A Great CV

Writing a great CV

What should you write on your CV

The difference between writing a good CV and an average CV can be the difference between you landing your dream job or not. The first impression any potential employer will make of you will come from the CV that has been submitted to them.

Edge Careers take a look at a few points that will help you to write a great CV.

Contact details

  • Be sure to include as many contact details as possible so that a recruiter or employer can easily reach you.
  • Try to make your email address professional, many people set up an email address as a teenager and set it as something funny, if it is possible it would be advisable to have an email address in a format like this, firstname.lastname@hotmail.com.

Previous Employment

  • Write in reverse chronological order and include starting and leaving dates for each position.
  • Include concise details of each position you have had, your responsibilities and what you achieved in the role.
  • If there are any time gaps between employment, explain what you were doing in that time, for example travelling, at college, etc.

Qualifications

  • There is no need to list all of your Standard Grade/GCSE subjects, simply put the number of GCSE’s achieved and the key subjects e.g. 10 GCSEs A-C including Mathematics and English. Exclude any grade lower then a ‘D’.
  • A-Level and degree qualifications can be listed. The grades do not have to be included.
  • List only the academic centers where a qualification was earned in reverse chronological order with dates.

Hobbies and Interests

  • If you do choose to include this section, it can be used to give an insight into your personality.
  • Consider carefully what you are putting down and its implications. Team events indicate that you are a team player, other activities such as Scouting and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme show commitment and the fact that you are not adverse to a challenge.
  • Be specific, and show what you learnt or gained from the activity such as perseverance, teamwork, communication skills.
  • Keep this section very brief and do not list all of your interests and hobbies.

General

  • It is always important for you to proof read and spell check your CV. Maybe have a friend or family member read through it, before you submit it to any potential employer, as spelling errors and sloppy grammar won’t portray you in the best way.
  • Don’t lie on your CV as you will inevitably be caught out.
  • Including personal details in your CV is optional. If you do choose to include them, don’t go into detail, keep it simple e.g. Married, 2 dependents.
  • Although detail is needed in some areas of your CV, sometimes a shorter CV can carry just as much weight as a long winded one.

If you require the assistance of a recruitment agency in your search for a new construction job, then register your well written CV to Edge Careers and one of our recruitment consultants will give you a call to discuss your job search requirements.

 

How To Write A Good CV

 

Edge Careers are Construction and Engineering Recruitment Experts who pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service in the industry to all of our candidates and clients.

To become an Edge Careers candidate, please click here to register your details. If you are a client looking to fill a vacancy, please click here, or alternatively contact one of our consultants to discuss your requirements in more detail via our Contact Us page.

Follow Edge Careers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+  to stay up to date with all our latest news, exclusive competitions and events.

www.edgecareers.co.uk

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