Courses, News & Career Advice

How do you explain a gap in your CV?

15 Oct, 2020

How do you explain a gap in your CV? We’re often asked this question when helping clients to write their CV and right now at Works for Us we are seeing increasingly more clients who have been forced to take an unplanned break in their employment. Of course, there are perfectly acceptable reasons why you may have a gap in your employment history, raising children, caring for family, illness, redundancy or...

Dads: It’s important to be selfish

30 Sep, 2020

Dan Reed is a local influencer and founder of Career Dad . He is on a simple mission: To positively impact as many dads' lives as possible. Dan is achieving this by putting the spotlight on working dads who are passionate about their careers, but not at the expense of their family. Read his blog below about his highs and lows of working from home during lockdown and how he juggled this alongside family...

Advice for furloughed workers

20 Jul, 2020

Advice for furloughed workers Know your rights, get help and advice as well as ideas for using your time to improve your skills. Furlough explained Your rights on furlough Develop your skills Looking for a change Furlough explained Your employer may have no work for you to do because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Rather than lay you off or make you redundant, you can both agree that...

Advice for if you lose your job

20 Jul, 2020

Advice for if you lose your job Redundancy advice Redundancy and furlough Manage your money Retrain or improve your skills Look for work Help and support Losing your job can affect many parts of your life and make you feel anxious about the future. Whether you’ve lost your job or been made redundant, you may find it difficult to: pay your bills maintain the skills you need...

How to develop your soft skills

20 Jul, 2020

How to develop your soft skills Communication skills Leadership skills Positivity skills Flexibility skills Problem solving skills Match soft skills to your employer Soft skills are general skills that most employers look for when recruiting and are needed for most jobs. They are sometimes called transferable skills or employability skills by employers. Hard skills are skills needed...

How to answer common interview questions

20 Jul, 2020

How to answer common interview questions Questions about the employer Questions about you Questions about your work history Questions about your strengths Questions about your weaknesses Questions you can ask Questions on why you left your last job Companies have different interviewing styles. You could have an interview that's: face-to-face over the phone on webchat...

Interview advice

20 Jul, 2020

Interview advice Types of interviews Types of interview questions Get ready for the interview At the interview During the interview After the interview An interview is a chance for an employer to see if you're the right person for the job. It’s your chance to make a good impression and show what you have to offer. You can also use it to help you decide if the job and the company are right for you....

How to fill in an application form

20 Jul, 2020

How to fill in an application form Before you start Provide your personal details Provide your education history Provide your work history Explain work history gaps Show your skills match the job How to choose references After you complete your form An employer may ask you to fill in an application form instead of sending a CV. The form could be on paper or online. Follow our...

How to write a cover letter

17 Jul, 2020

How to write a cover letter Cover letter explained When to use a cover letter Do your research Send it to the right person Write your opening paragraph Show you're right for the job Give extra information Pull it all together Sign off in the right way Cover letter tips A good cover letter will get your CV or application form noticed. Follow our guide on how to...

How to write a CV

17 Jul, 2020

How to write a CV CV explained Why you use a CV How to start CV layout What to include CV tips Use our guide to create a CV that stands out and gets you through to the interview stage. CV explained A CV is a short, written summary of your skills, achievements and experience. You use it in the first stage of applying for jobs. Employers often ask for a CV instead of an...

How to find job vacancies

17 Jul, 2020

How to find job vacancies Job Boards Job Shows Newspapers Networking sites Local council bulletins Hidden job market Jobcentre Plus National Careers Service Direct contact Industry magazines There are lots of ways to look for a new job. We describe some of them here. Choose the ones that suit you best. Job Boards Job boards are...