Month: December 2018

I was going to do ’18 things I’ve learnt in 2018′ but I will struggle to clamber enough together – also, is anyone going to make it past the seventh? Probably not.

So, here are some things I’ve learnt in 2018:

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– If you try a food you’ve always ‘not liked’, chances are you do like it. Turns out halloumi is delicious. I ate it once I’d had a few gins and felt confident, come next Christmas I’m going to be dipping bread into a Camembert angry that I refused to try it for so long.

– Eating bad and not doing exercise catches up with you and feels sh*t. Go to the gym, it’s actually quite enjoyable. But don’t do circuits, that’s like dousing yourself in petrol and seeing how close you can get to a bonfire. Hot and painful throughout and then a big ball of flames after.

– You also can’t drink how you used to. Know your limits. Don’t meet people after they’ve been out a while and try catch up with 7 double g&ts. Not worth it. Sunday won’t thank you. When you don’t go out near as much as you did when you were 20, boy things change.

– Watch The Greatest Showman. Don’t ignore the people who say it’s amazing and laugh at the fact they enjoyed it. Trust me. It’s a visual sensation. It really is the greatest show.

– Don’t wear a relatively cheap pair of 5-inch Misguided heels on your wedding day that you ordered the same week and didn’t try on. You’ll last the ceremony (in great pain) and then you’ll put on your pink sliders for the rest of the afternoon which don’t make for a great picture.

– Giving gifts is way better than getting. I think this Christmas is probably the least selfish I’ve felt. I would 100% buy everyone something, knowing only 3 people will get me something back. I’m just holding out that since I’ve not asked for anything, it means I’ve got a corker waiting under that tree.

– Take photos. I’ve always hated having my photo taken. Most between the age of 16-23 have been people forcing me, or me hiding my face. I’ve made a conscious effort the last year and a half to take more. Also find a best friend who has the opposite good side to you. This is one thing you will always fight over otherwise (unless it’s your wedding day and they have no option).

So once I got into the swing of this, I probably could have kept going and made it to 18. I’ve made a conscious effort now to stop. Coincidentally, I stopped at the seventh. It’s like I knew. Who does anything after the seventh anyway? God rested, and so shall I.

Have a glorious Christmas. Don’t buy heels from cheap online websites for New Years and drink carefully (but heavily) on the hours leading up to it. Nobody wants to be sat outside Burger King with their head in a bucket when the clock strikes 12.

M x

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s also the time when many employees will be having appraisals conducted for the past 12 months and personal development plans put in place for 2019.  While this may seem like a pointless tick box exercise to some, on both sides of the table, it is important to remember that they can serve a really strong purpose.

 

All too easily we can find ourselves drifting through our jobs on a day to day basis with no clear direction – this is especially true when you have become accustomed and comfortable in a role that brings home a nice pay cheque at the end of each month.  However, I am of the opinion that we should consistently strive to learn and achieve more, even if the only benefit is to stimulate our minds and improve our well-being as a consequence.  If we are spending a large proportion of our week in the workplace then we may as well use it as an opportunity to upskill and increase our knowledge.

 

My experience with performance reviews is somewhat chequered, and I take my share of the blame in this.  Early on in my career I couldn’t put my hand on my heart and say that I fully immersed myself in the process, to be honest it was one of those things I was glad to get out of the way.  However, as time moved on I saw it as the perfect platform to show the value I had added to the business and how I could make an even bigger impact moving forward.  Unfortunately this wasn’t always reciprocated by previous employers which is why I feel so passionately that it is essential for both parties to invest the necessary time into appraisals and PDPs.

 

So as we head into the new year and we inevitably set ourselves resolutions like losing weight, cutting back on alcohol and joining the gym, why not throw in the resolution to stick to your PDP and its objectives.  Take ownership and get your manager to agree to regular catch up meetings, this will allow them to assess how you are progressing and identify any training needs.  Ultimately your continuous improvement can only be beneficial to them and the business at large so why wouldn’t they embrace it.

 

Even if you didn’t enjoy reading the above have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

At OX Seven we are in the thick of the Christmas buzz; we all had a very merry Christmas party, have indulged in doughnuts and free cheese and Secret Santa presents have been exchanged.

With the long, dark nights and the Christmas feel in the air, it is hard to stay motivated when it comes to job searching and it drops off lots of people’s agendas.

A lot of people will be taking it easy but utilise your time wisely and your next role could be just around the corner. For job seekers who are looking for a new job, be savvy and keep your spirits up. Put as much time and effort in to your job search as possible and this will set you apart from the extremely competitive market that will likely be seen in January.

Tip 1: Clean up your CV. This will make your job search so much easier, make sure your CV is reader-friendly and is relevant to the jobs you are applying for.

Tip 2: Take some time to send personal emails. Christmas is a busy period but it’s very quiet for job applications. Most people wait until the New Year and the cliched New Year, New me to search for a new job. Take the time over the festive period to introduce yourself to recruiters/companies that are employing. One email to the right person could land you your next job.

Tip 3: Separate the job hunt from Christmas festivities. If you are anything like me it is very easy to spend the festive period sat in front of the TV drinking hot chocolate watching Christmas films. But if you are job searching, plan your days as if you are in the office – start at a certain time, take regular breaks and finish at a designated time. Staying disciplined and being consistent will help to keep you motivated and staying proactive will mean that you enjoy the festivities even more.

Tip 4: Plan the New Year. Be ready to really take control of your job search in the New Year, develop a clear and concise plan of attack! Set goals, update your social media profiles and begin the year ready and raring to go!

Tip 5: Do not let it ruin your Christmas. Don’t let your job search get you down and cloud your enjoyment of a time that should be spent with family and friends. The best thing to do is plan your time, prepare your applications and try not stress – even applying for one good job a day is better than nothing!

Best of luck in your search, do not give you as you never know Santa may grant your wish and give you that dream job for Christmas.

I bloody love gadgets and inventions.  I’ve long admired the creative and crazed minds of inventors who can bring ideas to life.  Ask me my ideal car and it’s not a Lamborghini or Rolls Royce – it’s the DeLorean from ‘Back to the Future’ – that’s right Doc Brown is a hero of mine.  Even the seemingly useless inventions I find fascinating such as toilet golf, cat wigs and shoe umbrellas.  Did you know that you can actually get diet water now!

 

I’m heavily reliant on technology in my role as I’m sure most others are.  I use various innovative hardware and software packages on a daily basis, all designed to make processes easier.  Particularly useful are the job boards I have access to which puts me in touch with candidates actively seeking a new job.  These are amazing platforms for individuals to sell themselves to employers and recruiters alike.  It is important to note though that CVs and profiles only tell part of the story which is why we feel it is essential to have an in depth phone conversation with each and every suitable candidate before we submit them for a vacant position.  When it comes to the crunch pre-screening questions answered via the internet will only tell you so much about a person.  The character of an applicant will always be more easily defined and judged by a fellow human being.

 

In an increasingly technologically dependent world there comes with it the underlying fear that AI and robotics will replace people in the workplace.  What does that mean for the job market?  Will this make a large portion of the population unemployed?  For me there will always be the need for human intervention and their input, it just depends on the extent or scale of this.  You can replicate certain traits and behaviours but measuring emotion and the inner workings of the mind is exponentially more difficult.  So while I am a staunch advocate of new technologies, this is on the basis that they can help enhance experiences and processes for humans and not replace them.

With Christmas just around the corner, I’m sure there are a number of people that are excited about finally having the opportunity to wind down.

Mollie and Ainsley were unfortunately not able to take a considerable amount of time over the festive period in their previous employment. As you’d expect, they’re right at the top of the excitement list.

The Christmas break is a great time.

You get to catch up with friends you haven’t seen in what feels like a lifetime, who always seem to be too busy any other time of the year. I personally end up eating far too much food (cheese and chocolate specifically) and do my best to ensure that I do indeed have a ‘Merry’ Christmas.

I’ve spent the last six months developing as a recruiter. It was a steep learning curve when Mollie, Adam and I first started. We entered into the competitive recruitment world without a background in recruitment. What we do possesses, however, was a real desire to learn.

The first month especially was very PowerPoint heavy (no criticisms here, Will!) I’ve always been one to ask numerous amounts of questions, and I’m sure there will be many more as I continue my career as a recruiter.

It typically takes me a bit of time to fully get back into the swing of things, even just after two days off during the weekend. In recruitment especially, there is definitely momentum that picks up throughout the week.

My question for you all is.. How do you balance taking time off to relax, whilst also ensuring you come back ready in January? Maybe you don’t, and you completely switch off.

The 6:20am alarm will return.

I’ll need to start thinking about which day of the week it is again.

Begin preparing lunches ready for the next day.

The battle against the big stack of ironing on a Sunday evening.

So, for those of you that have been fortunate enough to take a considerable amount of time off over Christmas, what’s your strategy to make sure you come back in January, ready to hit the ground running?

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And this year, I’m not working in hospitality which means I have absolutely no idea what I’m supposed to fill my time with. What do you do when you don’t work Christmas Eve, Boxing Day (I know, Christmas Day off in the industry how dare I… stop it) and the entire following week? Eat, drink and be merry apparently – at least that’s what all my customers looked like they did.

I can’t back a bah humbug. Quit hollering about it only being September and GET IN THE MOOD. I’m kidding, but I’m all for an early Christmas tree. I’ve had mine up almost two weeks and let me tell you… nothing but smiles when people come over. Crowd pleaser. No humbugs allowed.

If you keep catching yourself ruining everyone’s enjoyment of this glorious season, I have a couple of pointers below on how to improve your Christmas mood.

Decorate early. The tackier the better. I mean those ones from Paperchase that are a glittery aubergine emojis or Santa riding a hot pink bedazzled motorbike. Yeah, every Instagram influencer has a 10ft snow sprayed, ribbon laced, extra-large feather filled bauble creation, but sorry everyday people like you and I haven’t got 2.3 million followers to impress. So what does it matter?

Quit your job and take the entire month of December off. Fill your time drinking baileys hot chocolate and watching Elf. I’ll be waiting at the end of the line for you in January when you need some help. 01608670533 is my direct.

Get black out drunk at your works Christmas party. Nothing screams festive cheer like binge drinking double vodka lemonades and causing a scene in front of finance. If you haven’t got one this year because you’ve already actioned the previous point, stop being so easy influenced (bet you’ve got a 10ft snow covered tree, too) and pull yourself together.

Get a puppy or get engaged. I’ve managed both over the last two years… very Christmassy of me. Also make sure to #boydidgood.

Hope this helps my festive friends. If it’s all a little overwhelming, and you can’t help but grimace when someone drops the C bomb, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is a great place to start. I find quoting it throughout the year in any given situation really sets you up for a great December. It’s in my top 3 transferable-to-everyday-life quotable movies.

M x

 

Go to a party, pop on a jumper with flashing lights and call it a day.

 

We hear it in the news daily – another high street retailer in trouble and at risk of going into administration.  BHS and Toys ‘R’ Us have gone the way of the dodo with potentially more to follow, or at the very least the closing of many more stores nationwide.  One major reason for this, as you will probably know, is the dramatic increase in online shopping.  Consumers are more likely to click a few buttons than travel to the shops, through convenience as much as anything, and if other high street retailers want to survive they will need to restrategise.

A major side effect of these closures is that many people will lose their jobs, some of whom will have been in the retail industry for the whole of their careers.  Being made redundant is a daunting enough prospect, but add to that the anxiety of not believing you have the skill set to secure a job in an evolving sector, then it is easy to understand why these individuals have extra concerns.  This is when it is important to reflect on your working life and the transferable skills you can take into a new role and/or industry.  Sometimes you just cannot see the wood for the trees; you don’t fully appreciate all of your attributes and how they could add value in a new working environment.

Here are some transferable skills that most of us of a certain age have acquired (this list is by no means exhaustive):

Teamwork – unless you have worked your whole career in a stand-alone role with absolutely no human interaction you will have had to work with and rely on others to help you achieve a common goal.

Leadership – this is one people don’t realise they are doing a lot of the time.  It can come in many different forms – everything from direct instructions to a colleague to leading by example and setting a benchmark.

Problem-solving – day to day working life is a problem-solving exercise.  How do I word an email so I don’t come across as overly assertive?  How can I meet the deadline set by my boss when I don’t have the necessary tools at my disposal to do so? etc

Data analysis – there’s never been more data at our fingertips.  We are constantly analysing and filtering data based on our interests or the requirements of our job.

Communication – effective communication in most jobs is an absolute must and you will have had to adapt your level of communication based on your audience.

Time management – how you structure your day and prioritise tasks is a staple of most if not all jobs.

Work ethic – this goes without saying really.  Whatever your profession a solid work ethic is a must.

Business strategy – with experience comes the knowledge of what works for your business and where new avenues need to be explored.

As recruiters we don’t have all of the answers, or a secret recipe for success, but it is worth noting that most of the team at OX Seven were not in recruitment before we joined the business.  We come from a varied working background, but what we share is a transferable skill set that adds value.  So hopefully those in the retail sector who’s future looks uncertain, as well as other job seekers, can take solace in the fact that their skills can be utilised across a whole host of different roles – it’s just about knowing how to apply them.

The easiest way to learn.

 

I’ve always been a big believer in personal development, and hate the feeling of ‘coasting’.

I have a lot of respect for people that display knowledge and can openly talk about a subject matter in which I have no idea about. I also applaud people that are bilingual, creative, and/or instrumentalists. Hats off to you if you’re all of these.

I once bought a rather expensive keyboard on a 12-month finance scheme but never stuck to it. I’ve also downloaded the ‘Duolingo’ app in an attempt to learn Spanish, but can still only just about pronounce the word Despacito.

There are lots of clever people out there and every person you meet, is a brand new opportunity to learn something new.

You should become a knowledge thief.

They’ve spent hours, months, or even years sieving through books to learn this information, and you’re able to ask them questions that will summarise and condense all this information for you to steal from them. Chances are they’ve also had completely different experiences in life to you, and visited places you’ve never been before.

 

My job is to talk to people. Different people every day. Which is one of the reasons which I really enjoy what I do.

I also live with an extremely diverse group of people – an ex-professional clay pigeon shooter, an entrepreneur, a beauty therapist, a paramedic, a paint buyer, and a digital marketer. I’ve already learned a lot from this group, let alone all the other people I come across on a daily basis.

I also work in a team that come from completely different backgrounds – a gin expert/part-time interior designer who advises me daily on how to make my desk look pretty (I’m still working on it). A full-time comedian, a Brummy crisp-loving LinkedIn celeb, an on-call IT technician, and a parent that seems to know a lot about everything (except when to show the winger down the line). I’ll let you all work who is who.

 

Keep learning, talk to people, and become a knowledge thief. Everybody has something they can teach you.

 

It is so easy to make excuses. We all want to improve in our own way and want to be better but at times staying in your comfort zone is so much easier. The easiest thing to do is to make an excuse and stay where you are. It is easier to make up or exaggerate rather than face blame or defeat.

There will always be a reason why you can’t—maybe you’re ‘not ready,’ maybe it’s ‘not the right time,’ maybe there’s something in your way, or maybe you’re just lying to yourself because you’re afraid. There will always be an explanation for why you can’t do something maybe you are too busy, not prepared, other priorities, got distracted.

Everyone is guilty of making excuses to get outside of doing something. Whether it is putting off making a call, convincing yourself that you are not good enough to apply for that job or putting off the gym until next year (guilty as charged). Never making excuses is nigh on impossible, but what is possible is minimising the amount of excuses that you make.

How to avoid making excuses:

-Break down your goals, approaching a goal all at once can be daunting and makes it seem unrealistic. So why not break it down and celebrate each small win as you reach your long-term goal

– Failure is your friend. If you have failed learn from it, recognise it and move on from it

– Define your priorities and make sure your priorities are aligned with your current goals

There will always be an excuse, so stop making one.