Wednesday April 11, 2012 at 8:26am
Always doing extensive research on the company you have your interview with is a given and we’re sure you do it but so does 99% of your competition for post military jobs. So how do you set yourself apart from the rest? The answer is research.
You may have done loads, but there’s one thing the majority of candidates forget; the person who is conducting your interview. We have such a broad range of networking mediums at our disposal these days that it is incredibly easy to do some e....
Tuesday March 27, 2012 at 9:10am
Chances are at some point you will have to face some sort of rejection from a recruiter, but it is how you deal with this rejection that sets you up for your interviews for future jobs. Criticism can be a good source of useful information, as long as you can take it on board and learn from it. If you receive, or do at some point in the future, a rejection from a job application always ask for feedback. It doesn’t matter what stage of the process you are rejected at, always request the reas....
Tuesday March 13, 2012 at 8:31am
A lot of people these days are sold stories on which jobs are glamorous, which industries and sectors are the big money earners and which markets are the most stable. However, how much do you really know about the market of the role you have an interview for? Having an in depth opinion of the industry shows you know what you are talking about, truly know what the job entails and are passionate about it. Employers and recruiters don’t want to hire someone who wants to get into the industry ....
Monday February 27, 2012 at 8:09am
You’ve worked hard on applications for jobs, your post military CV is great and you have landed yourself an interview. This doesn’t mean you can sit back and relax though; you will need to start preparing for it straight away so that you have the best possible chance of impressing those recruiters. Before attending an interview you will need to have done a lot of in depth research. Make sure you know their market position, their latest moves, their products and services and their str....
Tuesday February 14, 2012 at 8:01am
There are many different networking opportunities to explore when searching for your next role. Recently social media has been becoming a popular medium for reaching out and finding potential recruiters, one of the most notable being Twitter. As a micro-blogging site Twitter allows its members to remain up to date with the lives and events of the people and companies they choose to follow. This is beneficial as it keeps you up to date with latest job postings and prepares you for the all importa....
Thursday February 9, 2012 at 8:34am
It’s a very competitive market right now and your CV has to stand out. There are a few simple rules you need to ensure you have followed in order to make sure your CV doesn’t turn off recruiters and employers. Save room for important, factual information and don’t ramble. Listing basic skills everyone has is not beneficial, such as Microsoft and the internet. Only list specialist programme familiarity that will be relevant to the role you are applying too such as programming la....
Tuesday January 31, 2012 at 8:15am
So much to do that there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day? At Gemini Forces we definitely understand the importance of effective time management, both while looking for a post Military job and once you’ve landed your first role since leaving the Armed Forces. The first step to managing your time is prioritising the long list of activities you want to try and squeeze into your week and make sure doing something for yourself is at the top of that list.
You are not going to ....
Tuesday January 24, 2012 at 9:31am
‘Do you have any questions for us?’ the predictable question at the end of any job interview, yet a stumbling block for most inexperienced or seasoned interviewees alike. Whether you ask questions at this point or not has a huge influence on the overall impression you make on recruiters and hiring managers. As part of your interview preparation you should sit down and think of questions that you could ask at this point, they can be anything, as long as they are relevant of course. So....
Wednesday January 18, 2012 at 9:16am
With the competitiveness of today’s job market the first impression you give to potential recruiters is of the upmost importance. This first impression is of course your CV / covering letter. With more and more applications being received by companies it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to distinguish between applicants. Recently, Toyota received over 2000 applications for their recruitment drive for 500 positions, meaning eliminating a lot of people on paper, but as always ther....
Wednesday January 4, 2012 at 8:20am
The current job market is very competitive, with many job seekers fighting to be seen by recruiters / employers. Networking events are a great way to see and be seen by important contacts within companies, so make use of them. There are a few things to remember at networking events, whether they are small events or large career fairs. Think of them as a way to get to know the employers, showing interest and asking for advice in a friendly, professional manner will make them more willing to help ....
Friday December 30, 2011 at 10:14am
What wouldn’t you change about your life?
It’s definitely a question which provokes a lot of thought and even more analysis over what would be an acceptable answer.
However, if we were to ask what you would change about your life we bet you could think of a number of different things instantly and wouldn’t hesitate to tell us them all. Why is this? Our training and development within the Forces is a big part of the reasoning behind this. We were trained to be modest and not....
Monday December 12, 2011 at 7:49am
We know what it’s like, many jobs and applications being fired in all directions. But are you getting complacent? You may be applying to loads of vacancies but don’t forget that many other people are doing the same. Keep a list of who you have applied to and what job was with whom; have a folder of the job specifications too. Having this knowledge to hand when the phone goes will save you having to ask what the job was, help you be prepared and make you seem super keen on that role. ....
Tuesday December 6, 2011 at 8:00am
We are firm believers of not pestering potential recruiters / employers, but there is a simple method you can use to follow up after your post military job interview, which should be used within a day of your interview. A simple thank you email can be great for getting yourself noticed and ensuring you are remembered but don’t forget to keep it personalised and short. Use a maximum of three paragraphs, each under 4 sentences.
One to thank them and reiterate interest, another to briefly s....
Tuesday November 1, 2011 at 12:41pm
So many of us joined HM Forces either straight from school, college or university and have not really experienced the whole civilian recruitment process and with so many different outlets available to apply for jobs, how do we approach this, at times, formidable task in the right way?
As we all know in this economic climate, there is huge competition for each vacancy advertised – but how can you stand out from the crowd? Or get your CV on a recruiter’s desk? Or appear in database C....
Tuesday October 18, 2011 at 11:45am
You don't always have to put pressure on yourself to find a post military job!
Sometimes the right start could be as easy as just putting yourself out there by networking at any of the upcoming careers fairs and expos.
The Gemini Team will be visiting many of these as well as exhibiting, so don’t miss out, as the vast majority of these are fantastic free events with 100’s of employers and workshops - take a look at the BFRS Events page here.
Another good step could be to get in....
Tuesday October 11, 2011 at 8:08am
What would you look for if YOU were the recruiter?
You would want someone who can help you not someone who says 'I would like the experience'.
You would want to see confidence in their ability and evidence that they are in for it long term.
You would know that they may not have extensive commercial experience so you would be looking for the ex-military candidate that has the most potential to hit the ground running.'
How do you deal with criticism?
Everyone is a critic, ....
Wednesday October 5, 2011 at 8:00am
It is standard interview practice for an interviewer to end with ‘have you got any questions’, which to some people, seems to activate inevitable ‘freeze’ mode!
Even if you feel that you have covered the job spec in full and discussed any concerns, it is crucial that you ask a few questions when prompted to do so.
This shows interest, enthusiasm and preparation, all being highly desirable qualities in a potential employee. Failure to ask any questions at the end of an....
Tuesday September 27, 2011 at 8:01am
Work placements for your transition from the military is something discussed previously, but I thought I would throw some more ideas into the pot, as it is not always easy to find, but, that can also depend on how well you look for it.
Are you using all the resources around you or just expecting a periodical browse on the internet to produce the right leads?
To increase your chances you must think more entrepreneurial……
Who do you know that is successful?
How are they....
Tuesday September 20, 2011 at 7:43am
Do you read Spam?
Maybe occasionally by accident and you can be almost 100% certain it will go in the trash as you’re not interested in something so irrelevant to you.
It’s a busy desk working as an employer, getting applications sent left right and centre – how can you be sure your applications are not being treated like Spam in this hectic environment?
Well if you are firing 20 applications a day all saying the same thing in your Cover Letter and CV then psychologically ....
Tuesday September 13, 2011 at 4:18pm
One key interview survival skill is the ability to call on detailed examples of experience at any given moment.
You can’t put a price on good preparation but it can be made even easier if your experience is already well documented in your head – how? By documenting it well at the time.
If you are currently in, or have recently finished, a work placement as part of your transition, leaving the forces or seeking your next opportunity then make sure you create a journal of your day ....
Wednesday September 7, 2011 at 8:10am
Cover letters are an increasingly important way of painting a well-tuned picture of yourself and why you are perfect for a role.
Think of it as a movie trailer to your profile; you need the key points to stand out and be memorable; it needs to read in a clear, concise order and leave them wanting more.
Looking at the two ends of the spectrum, never write a whole page detailing your life in text-heavy paragraphs and never write two sentences just saying that you think you are good for the job....
Wednesday August 24, 2011 at 8:26am
Looking for your post military job is a full-time job in itself. It’s very time consuming mentally and physically but the worst thing you can do in a job hunting situation is lose face and motivation.
Make sure you understand and tell yourself that finding a job doesn’t happen overnight, it could take weeks, or in some cases months of application after application, using the feedback and building your confidence as you better yourself in each interview.
If a telephone or face to f....
Tuesday August 16, 2011 at 8:59am
Your covering letter is your chance to deliver in a brief but essentially detailed manner, why you are perfect for the role.
Customisation is key, never use generic text and aim to hit a minimum of 200 and a maximum of 400 words.
Always open with a Dear ‘Recruiters Name’; only if you have no way of knowing their name it is then ok to use Dear Sir/Madam.
The first part is your opening which must refer to the job title, portray your enthusiasm, and provide solid examples as to wh....
Wednesday August 3, 2011 at 7:27am
The end of military life means an obvious significant change for many.
Facing the military aftermath of career, housing and financial planning may prove somewhat stressful so you need to stay organised.
One box to tick is to remember that your military facilities may no longer be accessible so make sure you set up/start using a personal e-mail account to substitute any subscriptions to websites - including US!
All websites need to be notified of an updated address so you can continue to re....
Thursday July 28, 2011 at 7:19am
CVs must be watertight and there is no space for inconsistence. If after a quick scan the employer / recruiter thinks you have potential for a role, often the next step will be to chronologically study your past work and education.
Gaps in your CV in these areas are one of the first things they will home in on - make sure you either explain what happened in the gaps within your CV or have ready formed answers when you are asked at telephone or first interview.
There are many legitimate reaso....
Thursday July 21, 2011 at 8:33am
When speaking face to face it’s said that over 90% of communication is non-verbal so before an interview, ensure you develop an awareness for what your body language subliminally says about you.
Your body language should convey composure and confidence without being brash.
Ensure you make good eye contact and your handshakes are firm and clear and avoid excessive fiddling and jittering. If you feel your body language is not yet up to scratch, you can improve this by focusing on your ou....
Tuesday July 12, 2011 at 8:00am
If you have left the Forces and you are struggling to get that post military job the best thing to do in the short term is, you guessed it, something! When you get that important interview, the potential employer will ask what you've been up to since leaving.
If you haven't got a good response alarm bells will start ringing. If you can reel off a list of useful pursuits it will show you've been busy and create the impression that you could be an active employee.
So get out there, do some vol....
Thursday July 7, 2011 at 7:34am
Telephone Calls and Phone Interviews
If you have recently applied for a job, be aware that a call from an unrecognised number could be a preliminary screening - don't ignore it or in particularly answer in a blunt or casual tone as it could determine the success of your application.
A phone-based interview is considered as important as a face to face interview.
Therefore, preparation is key.
Ensure that you are not in a noisy environment such as a pub and have your CV handy to answer une....
Wednesday June 29, 2011 at 8:06am
This is the final instalment of my little series of Blogs on work placement for resettlement as today things took a totally different direction. I apologise in advance as this one is quite long. As I went into work today this was to be the start of week 4 out of the 5 weeks that I was on the placement for, however, at lunchtime I received a phone call informing me that I had been selected for a different position which I had applied for. On initially agreeing the terms of the placement before st....
Wednesday June 22, 2011 at 8:49am
The euphoria of my first week has been and gone and now I'm at the end of week 2. To say it has been a very frustrating week is certainly an understatement. There have been days when I have thought that I was really getting the hang of things and then there were days when I thought to myself that I was totally out of my depth. So, what I have learnt this week in my transition to my new civilian life? Quite possibly the biggest (and most frustrating) thing I have learnt is how much hard work it i....
Monday June 20, 2011 at 1:47pm
Think I read on one of the social media sites, (the one to do with in and links) that us Squaddies, Sailors and Airmen & women well I say us, I have been out for 4 months now, are molly coddled and wrapped in a huge blanket? Yep I agree, never having to deal with housing problems, tax claims, whether it be job seekers allowance or working tax credits. Never had to bother about P60s P45s tax codes, all we ever cared about was the figure on our pay statement at the end of the month and bo....
Monday June 13, 2011 at 9:48am
Having now finished my first week of a 5 week placement, what has the week had in store for me?? Well there was the very obvious massive learning curve (as expected) but what has been a really pleasant surprise has been being treated as part of the team and not just as someone who is here for a few weeks, aka the tea-boy!!
My last 4 and a bit years of service have been spent in an Army careers office and I thought I would adapt with no problems at all in a civilian office, after-all surely the....
Thursday June 9, 2011 at 10:06am
After 26 years service in the Army, I was now looking at a total of 13 weeks (4 weeks termination leave, 7 weeks GRT & 2 weeks annual leave - not necessarily in that order) to do before being officially classed as a civilian, I dared myself to start dreaming about what may lie ahead for me. How I wished I had listened to the advice of previous service leavers before who said "it doesn't matter how long you have left, start planning your future now".
Well I didn't plan because that....
Tuesday May 31, 2011 at 6:22pm
It's the choices you've made, and will make, that ultimately define the shape of your post military career among other things. At some point everyone has made a wrong decision, big or small, but the most successful people know that those experiences can be the most valuable of all. If you feel that right now making a decision on the path of your next career is so paramount that it could make or break you, then just stop - really it isn't! Don't worry so much about making the right choice and ins....
Wednesday May 25, 2011 at 6:29pm
Employers expect applications from professionals to reflect commitment and meticulous attention. It is crucial that enough time and care is dedicated to filling them out and proof-reading them for any spelling and grammatical errors. (If possible always get a second pair of eyes to help with this!) Every application should bear in mind the position applied for, and should not have any 'generic' connotations. These reflect a lack of dedication and research into your potential employer. A rushed a....
Friday May 20, 2011 at 8:06am
The Job Seeking Experience
Finished, 26 years’ service all over and here I was out in the big bad world, hadn’t seemed this daunting when I 16 years old and leaving school but now I was joining the rat race at 43. Dine out went well and I had received my letter from the senior soldier within my Corps thanking me for everything I had done.
That letter was joined in the post by my Veterans badge, pension details and a load of ‘gumf’ from the tax man.
First thing for me w....
Wednesday May 4, 2011 at 7:26am
If you didn't know, social media is playing a bigger part in the world of ex-military recruitment than ever, and aside from the more professional LinkedIn, Twitter is actually a fantastic tool to use in your job search.
Don't see Twitter as just a social tool, as by crafting out clever searches you can uncover networking opportunities that could really open doors for you and impress key people.
Try it - simply go and create a Twitter account, type in a search for a job title or area of i....
Tuesday April 26, 2011 at 8:57am
Enthusiasm in the First Impression.
Enthusiasm; It's projected in your CV, cover letter, voice, attitude, body language, clothes - everything. Unbelievably, we still find people that look good on paper, but when we make contact they sound uninspired and unconvincing with no idea what they want to do!
It's so crucial that you make a good impression as brief moments of contact can count for so much. One of the first things any consultant or employer will ask is - what do you want to do?
If y....
Monday April 18, 2011 at 4:01pm
Go the Extra Mile with your post military Job Interviews
Before an interview we all know that it is good practice to do some research. This will help you answer typical questions like "tell me what you know about the business?"
The obvious place to find relevant information will be the company's website. However, the problem is that every other candidate will be doing the same, leaving you with very little to distinguish yourself with - don't miss this opportunity to impress!
Whe....
Tuesday April 12, 2011 at 7:51am
When applying for your first post military role or any new position, your CV should be a positive reflection on the time, effort and dedication invested into acquiring the relevant skills and experience for the job. Including certain things in your CV can overshadow these valuable and hard-earned skills and create an instant unsuitable profile.
Relevance is a key element here, therefore any experience or personal attributes that would be deemed irrelevant for the job should be carefully consid....
Tuesday April 5, 2011 at 4:29pm
Job hunting in Canada is not as daunting as some people think. As a country whose population will only increase as a result of immigration, we need people. So a shortage of people means skills are in demand in many industries. Regional differences need to be taken into account, for instance in the Maritimes we need around 30,000 truck drivers.
Having said that you should carefully prepare your approach to the job market and have a plan. Although you will find jobs listed and you can post your r....
Tuesday April 5, 2011 at 7:35am
CV advice is always the most frequent questions from our members, even members that have left the forces and in the commercial environment, so I thought as part of my regular employment BLOG I would try and offer some generic guidelines, but these are tips and are not set in stone, just helpful information I hope….
It's true that employers will make a judgment on your suitability within the first 30 seconds of looking at your CV, so make sure it accomplishes the following:
Start with ....
Tuesday March 29, 2011 at 7:38am
What does your Voicemail say about you??
If you're applying for jobs make sure you have your mobile phone voicemail is set up, as you would not believe the number of people that don't.
Further from that, a personalised message is very important if you want to make a good professional first impression - no jokes or gimmicks, as they really don't go down well!
Employers and recruitment consultants have to call so many applicants a good voicemail answer message, confirming they have got the r....
Monday March 21, 2011 at 6:42pm
Are you totally happy with your current approach to finding your next role or position when leaving the Forces? If so, and you're getting the results then fantastic, but if you're getting nowhere. have you actually taken a step back to see what needs changing? We know this sounds obvious but in the blinding light of bookmarking / registering with countless websites and firing CVs in all directions, are you reserving time to analyse your strategy? It's just as important as the applying itself and....
Wednesday March 16, 2011 at 8:46am
At 10:30pm the sellers agent phoned back to tell us our offer had been accepted. This true story will give you an idea of how different the system of buying a house in Canada is from what you may be used to. I am a Realtor© which is totally different to an Estate Agent.
This transaction started when the family from England arrive two month ago. This is when I sat down to find out what they were looking for in a home and built up a picture of what to search for. For many people this proces....
Monday March 7, 2011 at 4:32pm
When you have exhausted all plausible forms of procrastination, it is time to stop and focus on what you should really be doing!
If you're taking your next career step or seeking employment, writing your CV and ensuring it stands out from the crowd can be extremely time-consuming and requires a great deal of care and attention.
Avoidance tactics may seem to be your body's natural defence mechanism against CV writing but prove only to disrupt and confuse this vital part of job-hunting.
Alwa....
Thursday February 24, 2011 at 7:53am
So you have decided to make a new life in Canada, no matter how much time you have spent on the Internet reviewing facts and statistics the best way to decide if your destination of choice is the right one for you is to plan a fact finding trip. Many of you out there reading this may also have had the benefit of being in Canada during a posting and have had a taste of the Canadian lifestyle. I had a taste of Toronto when I went there in my twenties and got the bus so bad I had to go back to UK a....
Monday February 7, 2011 at 7:00pm
I just want to open this weeks employment BLOG with saying what a fantastic ‘Career Transition Event’ BFRS staged at Catterick last Thursday, the number of attendees definitely surpassed previous events and I was left hoarse from all the talking!!
Many thanks to the team for providing a great venue, support and the best event to date.
Now to my weekly tips and advice…..
Taking on the Tough Interviews
To be offered an interview for your first civilian role (or any posit....
Monday January 31, 2011 at 6:44pm
"Are you open for business? Are you making it as easy as possible for potential employers to contact you?
In this busy job market employers and recruitment consultants are overwhelmed with applications and it is often said that there is nothing worse than not being able to get hold of someone when they're a perfect match.
This normally comes down to people not being willing to give out their phone number or using junk email addresses when registering on job websites.
Some people can ge....
Wednesday January 19, 2011 at 7:39am
When creating a CV, make sure you save it in a versatile format that everyone is able to open. Here at GF we would recommend saving it in document format which is .doc as it's the most common. Saving your CV in this format means you can be sure no one will have any problems opening it or integrating it with a database that employers or recruiters can search - using .pdf files can create problems. Make sure you name your CVs sensibly like 'Mark Smith CV - Consultant.doc' so the employer or recrui....
Wednesday December 22, 2010 at 8:37am
Christmas is ‘virtually’ here and whether your job seeking, building up to your transition or looking for a career change, make sure you reserve a little moment to take a breather, reflect on your progress, review your job seeking strategies and plan for the New Year. As 2011 approaches, the prospects of annual recruitment budgets being positively re-assessed for the new year will see activity in the job market taking the shortest holiday of all. This means you have to stay on the pu....
Thursday December 16, 2010 at 8:05am
I do hope this BLOG is helping, providing tips and assisting your applications if you’re applying for new jobs, going through your transition or venturing into the employment market for the first time in many years. Some points may seem self-explanetory, but if you have not been in the fierce market for jobs as it is now, the on-going advice may be useful.
Here are my next tips…
Have you really read the job advert?
Do you really read the job descriptions in full? If you are sk....
Thursday December 9, 2010 at 7:52am
My weekly employment BLOG to keep you focused or throw some pointers and advice wherever you are in your transition or job seeking status.
But first……
Many thanks to June from Relocation Nova Scotia and her enlightening first BLOG post, more to come from Canada in the very near future….
So….
Are you being rejected for your job applications?
Rejection is unfortunately something you may encounter during your search for that new job or if you are going through ....
Wednesday December 1, 2010 at 10:09am
I contacted Gemini Forces & BFRS so that I could share with you my information about resettling in a new life in Canada. I am June Spindloe and I live in Nova Scotia a Province on the east coast of Canada, for many years I have been involved in resettling people form across the globe.
Relocation Nova Scotia also attends the emigrate shows in UK and in the last couple of years we have noticed more and more enquiries from Brits who are becoming increasing frustrated with the life style in UK....
Wednesday November 24, 2010 at 8:32am
A slight change to my employment BLOG this week as I need your expert advice for our fellow members!!
Obviously the topic is working overseas and the reason being is to provide a brief insight to fellow members about the ex-pat life as a contractor, on temporary roles, or for many, the move permanently abroad.
I’ll throw some questions into the pot for individuals and hopefully businesses that employ ex-service personnel overseas and why, but the most important factor is not my questio....
Wednesday November 17, 2010 at 9:37am
Having spent some thought on how to move forward with an employment BLOG, when individuals are at such varying points in either their transition, job seeking status or even civilian career transition, I thought it would be best not to go from A – Z, but look at subjects, sectors and news as it occurs to complement the stages individuals are at. (Previous post)
The emphasis of this BLOG is………Does a company name / brand affect your employment choices? One national bran....
Friday July 16, 2010 at 8:07am
I left HM Forces over 14 years ago when resettlement was very different! The course I was to undertake at a college in Grantham was cancelled on the morning I turned up, reason; not enough people to make the course financially viable! (Some things never change!) So due to the late cancellation I took some very seemingly pointless courses at short notice, I bet that is a tale that could be repeated over and over by our ex-military members here!? So for Service Personnel that are coming up to thei....
Thursday December 10, 2009 at 3:33pm
Many of us can offer advice about writing a CV and we all have our own opinions, lots of you may not even agree with my tips.
Your CV:
Forget writing a profile on a CV anyone can do that. A CV needs to be 1-2 pages long, no more (unless it a technical CV). The first half page needs to be about performance-based achievements based around the position you are applying for; this shows off your transferable key skills and the commercial skills you posses. Performance-based achievements; Consider....
Sunday November 29, 2009 at 10:38am
This is a bit of a mixed post, aimed towards our new ex-military members here at Gemini, but also, to all our members, so they can share their thoughts and the benefits they recognize of joining the networking site ‘LinkedIn’ I will be very honest; before I joined the team here at Gemini Forces, I had not even heard of LinkedIn, (may sound strange but true! Is that the same with you? Would appreciate not being the only one who had not heard of the site!), however, I was re-connecting....
Wednesday February 4, 2009 at 9:15am
I left the Army in Apr 08 and not being able to find what I wanted in the place I wanted surprised myself by setting up as an interim manager and independent consultant. It was, and sometimes is, quite frightening but the freedom is great after being so tightly controlled by the personel branches. The biggest challenge is overcoming the "yes but we want someone who has done the exact same job before" attitude, the biggest advantage is that the military training and culture sets us up s....