Latest Blog posts from BFRSS.org.uk

Ready For The New Year Rush?

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OK Over the next couple of weeks you'll be taking a well earned rest over Christmas and New Year holidays.

Come January are you ready for the rush? Did you know January is the most active month in the UK recruitment industry year? Even with the doom and gloom around us, this coming Jan is likely to adopt the same trend. Are you ready for the increased competition too?

So what can you do right now? Update your CV so it really is giving you the best opportunity to take advantage of those great positions coming soon. Recruiters will now be thinking about that pipeline for 2012. Why not pick up the phone and stay connected with your recruiter/ agency.

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Dave

2012 OLYMPIC RESULTS FOR YOU?

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“At the end of each day, you should play back the tapes of your performance. The results should either applaud you or prod you.” JIM ROHN

Moving back into civilian life from the military can sometimes feel like you are training for running in the Olympics. You start with passion and enthusiasm and then, generally, there are three problems that arise:

1.You become overwhelmed with ideas and information.
2. You need to learn new skills.
3. Getting time to spend on making the right move.

What can we learn from our Olympic athletes?

1. Have a written action plan/ diary dates and stick to it like a postage stamp.
2. Commit 100% to your goal.
3. Identify and monitor your competitor’s performance and achievements.
4. Monitor, measure and develop your own business skills and performance.
5. Manage time, all the time.
6. Making some time for fun as a reward.
7. They have and use a support team.

TIPS TO KICK-OFF 2012

1. Identify 2-3 key goals that will take you forward. Establishing your skills set and working environment you prefer, where you intend to settle, maintaining your standard of living
2. Update your Contact Database. Whenever you have contact with someone make sure you get enough details to keep in touch. Email, telephone number, address. Why not get yourself some cards that say who you are and your key attributes and give these out? Then you can ask more easily for their details.
3. Remember what you have forgotten. You have had ideas in the past and they have worked. You’ll be amazed what you have forgotten that worked well.
4. Think about where you want to go with your work, family, business and what’s holding you back. Is now the time to hire a coach? What would you want to accomplish with your coach?

If you are ambitious and keen to grow, let’s get together and make it happen. Come on team GB! You can do it!

The Challenges Facing HM Forces Personnel Seeking Post Service Redeployment

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It is an unfortunate fact that a large proportion of civilian employers fail to recognise that many of the skills and attributes possessed by ex HM Forces personnel are extremely valuable and transferable. This has always been a challenge facing ex service personnel but in the face of the worst recession in living memory the challenges have become even bigger.

So how should you go about maximising your chances of securing civilian employment?

It is clear that in the present Jobs climate the competition is intense and in general there are more applicants than there are jobs especially in the traditional redeployment career paths in general management, personnel management, security, HM Constabulary etc; . However, this is not the case in all sectors – there are still areas where there are severe skills shortages:-

IT - Software development, Testing, Help Desk Support & Managed Services
Telecoms - Mobile phones, offshore & onshore Oil & Gas
Civil & Structural Construction - Infrastructure projects, offshore and onshore oil & gas, petrochemicals
Electrical and electronics - Telecomms manufacturing, hardware manufacturing
Mechanical - Vehicle Maintenance, Production Plant Maintenance
Offshore and onshore Oil & Gas construction & commissioning
Security - Marine Security, Specialist security companies, Individual personal protection
Bomb Disposal - Unexploded Ordnance clearance
Sports & Leisure - Personal trainers, Fitness Instructors

Whichever industries or sectors you decide to target, the key issue is ensuring that potential employers understand that your training and skills sets are transferable assets. It is also important to realise that civilian employers will be unfamiliar with HM Forces jargon and its use must be avoided. There are many aspects of your training and experience in the Forces which you take for granted but are important to highlight to prospective employers,:-

1. Levels of personal fitness attained
2. Hardships endured
3. Staying cool under fire
4. Man management
5. Self-discipline
6. Leadership abilities
7. Multi-tasking ability
8. Teamwork

It is also vital to understand the importance of a good CV and the necessity of a strategic approach to marketing yourself. You have to stand out from the crowd in order to get interviewed and secure a job.

This is where PrimeCandidate can help you. It offers a highly professional, bespoke online CV writing & posting service. Your CV is the most powerful sales & marketing tool at your disposal when searching for a new job and should therefore be taken very seriously. PrimeCandidate will give you ‘the edge’ your CV needs to get noticed, we are comprised of ex recruitment and industry professionals with Hiring Manager status and are in the best possible position to produce professional CVs and recommend CV posting locations.

Social Networking sites are fast becoming the resourcing tool of choice for many employers around the world. We can set you up on professional/social networking sites by creating a ‘fit for purpose’ profile page, attach your CV, generate connections and make suggestions for suitable groups to join.

In short - we Prime today’s job hunters into Prime Candidates for interview and selection.
You can order most of our services online at http://www.primecandidateuk.com or to speak to us in person about your requirements please contact us on on +44 01423 563750

2012 RESOLUTIONS? WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?

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“Thinking you can achieve your goals without decisive action, is like thinking you can win the lottery without buying a ticket.” GARY RYAN BLAIR

As we approach the New Year our thoughts turn to the future. How good are you at keeping resolutions? Life and ‘stuff’ takes over and you are back on the ‘merry go round’ again whizzing round and not getting where you really want to be. Knowing it’s important and telling yourself, you will ‘get a round tuit’ just need to do this job first and then that one and so on……. Time just flies by and, before you know it, you are a civilian again.

What can you do to ensure you stay committed to your success in civilian life; be it in life, work or career?

1. Stop! Get off the roundabout and check where you are now. What’s good? What can you take with you? What do you like about your job? What are your needs going forward? Family, housing, finance, career or business? As a starter check out the wheel of life on my website.

2. Visualise your Success. 2012 is Olympic year! Be like all good athletes and create a vision of your future success. Keep this in mind by creating your own vision board - pictures, headlines from magazines etc. Put it where you will see it every day. Replay it every day.

3. Catch the TRAMS This is not work its about YOU! Which is why your goals need to be Thrilling, Resonate, Accountable, Measurable and Specific.

4. Focus and Commit Ask yourself ‘Is this taking me towards my goal or away?’ Don’t be sapped by the suckers of your time.

23 yrs military plus 17 yrs civilian experience and training in delivering results including: leadership and management skills, business manager, change management, personnel training, finance with private and publics sector organisations.

Sometimes (usually) all it takes is a small paradigm shift, and you’re doing things you’ve been putting off for years. If your really want to get ‘ a round tuit’ and are committed to change, contact me and let’s show that you really can do it!

To Your Success! Happy New Life!

Dave Grundy

BFRS Guide to a Good CV

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Will your CV in its' current format get you past the paper sift? BFRS have put together top 5 tips to help you get to that all important interview.

Most employers only spend 10 seconds reading your CV and if it doesn't catch their attention then your application will go no further. It's a harsh reality and getting your CV absolutely right is a fundamental necessity if you want to make sure that you stand out from the crowd and progress to the final stages of the selection process.

1. Don't use Military terminology. Most employers won't understand what Military terms are and could potentially lose you the opportunity of progressing with your application.

2. Your CV must sell you to a prospective employer, and compete against other applicants who are also trying to sell themselves. So the challenge in CV writing is to be more appealing and attractive than the rest.

3. Your CV should be presented professionally, clearly, and in a way that indicates you are an ideal candidate for the job, i.e. that you possess the right skills, experience, behaviour, attitude, morality that the employer is seeking. The way you present your CV effectively demonstrates your ability to communicate.

4. From the job description and person specification it is a good idea to write down a description of the person they are looking for, from qualifications, experience to personality traits etc. You can now use this as a blue-print for your CV. The better the match the more likely you are to be called for an interview.

5. Emphasise your characteristics, your capabilities and achievements. Positive emphasis and strong presentation is good – be sure that you can back this up with evidence of your skills, abilities and experience.

If you have a CV and would like advice on it then Prime Candidate at Ask the Expert can help! They offer many different services so why not visit them by clicking here.

Job Interview Question: What is Your Greatest Weakness?

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A question recently asked in an interview which caught me out was, "What is one of your weaknesses and how does this affect the workplace?” I wasn’t at all ready or prepared for this question which is now quite common. Having dug deeper in to this type of question, I understand there are 2 answers which employers don’t want to hear, they are:

1. Deny that you have any weaknesses that could possibly impact your job. If pressed, be evasive: "I'm sorry, I'm just drawing a blank here."

2. Making a strength into a weakness. "I would have to say perfectionism is my biggest weakness. Everything I do, I give 150% effort."

These types of answer will insult the intelligence of the interviewer and will highlight that you haven’t really prepared for the interview. There isn’t typically a right or wrong answer but here are a couple of examples that you may wish to use:

1. Be honest. It will be quite obvious whether your answer to this question is honest. So, be prepared to share an answer that is sincere.

2. Make your answer relevant to the role in which you are applying and avoid using any weakness outside of the workplace and this has no relevance to the employer. Ensure that it’s something that has a significant, negative impact on your work performance.

3. Use a personal experience where a project at work didn’t go to plan and what you did to successfully complete th project, making a negative situation into a positive one shows you can think outside the box.

Below is a typical example of a hypothetical situation where an employer has asked for a weakness:

“I would say that I can be too much of a perfectionist in my work. Sometimes, I spend more time than necessary on a task, or take on tasks personally that could easily be delegated to someone else. Although I've never missed a deadline, it is still an effort for me to know when to move on to the next task, and to be confident when assigning others work.”

What are they like in the next village? Where is Civvy Street?

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I’m delighted to be speaking at BFRS (British Forces Resettlement Forces) Tidworth Armed Forces Job Fair & Networking event.

So what’s my link? I served in the Royal Army Pay Corps (RAPC) 23 years. On entry I had 2 ‘O’ levels (neither maths) and on leaving I was a Chartered Management Accountant (MA). In the 90′s I became interested in what makes a good manager and/ or leadership. I decided to broaden my skills outside finance and focused on people skills including coaching, stress management, change management, getting the best out of your team. I found this has helped me tremendously. I engage with more people and understand where they are coming from better. This results in a ‘win- win’ situation all round and makes for a better place to live, work and play.

I’ve worked in both the public and private sector and been exposed to lots of different cultures at different levels in organisations. The MoD had a number of cultures, including one each for the Royal Navy , Army, RAF and of civilians.

When I left the Army in 1993, there was a resettlement service, though I doubt I would have been a good insurance salesman as suggested by the retired officer I showed my CV to.

-Planning is an unnatural process; it is much more fun to do something. And the nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. Sir John Harvey-Jones

So, like Baldrick, I developed a ‘Cunning Plan’ with my wife of how we would make the move from Service life to ‘Civvy Street’. Like coaching it covered all aspects of our life: Work, Money, Home, Organisation, Friends and Family, Fun and Relaxation, Personal Growth, Security, Social, Contribution to the community.

For us ‘Civvy Street’ was initially Peterborough and for the past 17 years Crowland, 10 miles north just over the border into Lincolnshire. As friends of ours say ‘we’ve been blessed’ in many ways. For all my planning there were still surprises, shocks and disappointments. The plan and most importantly, the network and goals, gave us direction and hope.

I’ve been asked to give some thought to suggestions/ tips and pulled together this list:

-Checkout your current position – what do you enjoy most and what can you easily take with you? What will you need to replace?

-Create as broad support network as possible - its rather like phone a friend, the right one for the specific problem

-Recognise that the majority of 60 million population do not understand the forces nor feel a need to do so

-Remember you were new HM Forces once. Commit to the change and move forward positively

-Identify your beliefs, values and goals – this will give you direction and structure. Read and visualise your goals at least every day

-Keep your life balanced and include some fun

-Work to your strengths of discipline and commitment and you will create good habits and succeed

-Be positive, open minded and flexible to other cultures and styles – you may be surprised how well they can work in different situations. As a result I have learned lots from my teams and they have covered for me.

Having good relationships with others is crucial to a balanced life. This is a story I use about attitudes to other people:

There was once a traveller journeying from one village to the next, when he met an old saddhu sitting by the roadside.

“What are the people like in the next village?” the traveller asked the saddhu. “Well,” replied the saddhu, “what were they like in the last village?” “They were unfriendly, surly, uncooperative and greedy,” said the traveller. “You’ll find they are much the same in the next village,” said the saddhu.

A short time later, another traveller journeyed along the same road. Meeting the saddhu, he asked, “What are the people like in the next village?” “Well,” replied the saddhu, “what were they like in the last village?” “They were friendly, pleasant natured, cooperative and generous,” said the traveller. “You’ll find they are much the same in the next village,” said the saddhu.

Here’s to your future success!

Dave Tuit Acheivements

Poppy Factory Case Studies for Ex-Military

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The Poppy Factory present a few brief case studies illustrating our success in matching employers and finding jobs for wounded, sick and injured ex-Service men and women:

Gary Cotterill, 44
Ex Royal Army Medical Corps
Managing Director
Wolverest Group Ltd, Wiltshire

Gary Cotterill joined the army in 1983 and served until 2002. An injury to his leg resulted in multiple operations.
Gary saw a job advertised for a disabled ex-Service man with medical experience. The Poppy Factory funded the job at Druids Polo Club, where he continues to be their medic and timekeeper. Gary said, “It was the ideal job that pushed me in the direction I wanted to go, to have my own medical company. During the time with Druids, I developed my business plan and started to look for other clients so I could continue to work with Druids and take on new staff for elsewhere. The Poppy Factory was just the help I needed.”
“Once my company was up and running and I was looking to take on more staff. There was only one option, to employ another ex-Service man and give him the boost The Poppy Factory had given me. John Bailey has been a god send and a huge asset to my company and is helping to grow Wolverest. Hopefully we will be recruiting again soon.”

John Bailey, 51
Ex RAF
Medical Trainer (part-time)
Wolverest Group Ltd, Wiltshire

“Leaving the Services was like a big bubble bursting and I had no idea how to get a job.”

John Bailey served for a total of 26 years with the RAF, where he ended his career as a Sergeant medic. He served in the Falklands, Northern Ireland and Germany, rescued the injured from Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Congo, Bahamas, Canada and, Belize. Early in his career, he had a bad accident whilst training and injured his back. In 2002, he had a heart attack whilst based at RAF Lyneham. He was discharged in 2005.

“I wish I had heard about The Poppy Factory Factory’s work before. Just knowing about it would have lessened the huge amount of stress”, said John Bailey. Speaking about his new job, John said, “This is a great opportunity for me. It’s not about the money, it’s about getting off my backside and having something useful to do.”

Nigel Berry, 38
Ex Coldstream Guards
Head Labourer and Security Officer
Mansell Construction Services, North Yorkshire

“I still have flash-backs and suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Despite all that I’m back in work and I’m proud of myself.”

Nigel Berry joined the Coldstream Guards at the age of 18 and loved the work, guarding HM The Queen, trooping the colour and travelling around the world on training exercises. In Iraq, he was severely injured by a roadside bomb, thrown off his motorbike whilst en route to deliver a message to the front line. His injuries resulted in nine months hospitalisation in Iraq and England. PTSD kicked in later, starting with depression and insomnia. His paranoia became unmanageable, he drank heavily, got into fights and ended up in prison. His marriage broke down and he ended up homeless. Fortunately for Nigel, he discovered the charity, Combat Stress, who found him accommodation and, with the help of the other ex-Servicemen, he stopped drinking, started exercising and gradually built up his confidence.

The Poppy Factory found Nigel a job at Rok, which has since been taken over by Mansell Construction Services. “The first year being sponsored has helped me to find my feet,” said Nigel. “I now work full time. I’m the first on site and the last one out. My army training definitely helped me to pull myself out of depression and now in my work it helps me lead a team of labourers.”

“Without the opportunity The Poppy Factory gave me, I would still be drinking and I’d be on the streets or in jail. Now I’ve got my own home, I’m able to look after my children and I know that no matter what happens, I can call The Poppy Factory if I need help. They’ll always be behind me.”

These are just a few examples of the work The Poppy Factory do and there are many more case studies.

BFRS - Community Interest Company

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Great News! BFRS is now officially 'not for profit', we have now been officialy converted and approved as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and it is the Armed Forces Community that we will serve, but what does it actually mean.

Well, in a 'nutshell' it means that the Directors and shareholders do not benefit from any money that comes into the company, in fact any surplus money goes back into the company to improve the services that are currently being provided and enables us to add additional services that will benefit the Armed Forces Community.

Coming from a forces background I know that a lot of the readers of this BLOG are naturally cynical and will look for the hidden agenda, well I can honestly say, there isn't one!

We look forward to reading your comments, which will give us the opportunity address any doubts and concerns.

Nine different ways to find a new job

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By Janet Fowler, Investopedia.com

The old days of finding a job right out of school and sticking with it until retirement are certainly in the past. In these modern times, people have become more adept at locating new job opportunities.

But some of the more traditional tactics have started to fade in popularity; no longer are people looking solely at the newspaper want-ads to find their dream jobs. Job seekers are becoming more creative and utilizing new strategies in moving their careers forward.

1. Networking

It is said that the majority of job vacancies are never advertised, often referred to as the "hidden job market." To land these jobs, seekers will need to find a way to get a foot in the door. Networking can go a long way in locating job opportunities; even if no one you know directly has knowledge of a job opening, there's a chance they know someone who does.

Networking can be done both in person and online. You can join professional associations, attend events for graduates of your school, or aim to connect with professionals who work in your field.

Various online tools also exist, such as LinkedIn, which allow you to network with other professionals and learn out about possible job openings. You may also be able to meet other professionals through social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

2. Referrals

Referrals also come from individuals you know, however, this method may get you an invitation to apply for a position without actually searching for a new a job. Some employers offer incentives to their employees for referring a successful candidate to their company - a win-win situation for everyone. You get a new job, and your contact gets a finder's fee for attracting a top-notch employee.

3. Job Boards and Career Websites

Job boards were traditionally just that - boards posting vacancies and employment opportunities. Though some of these boards may still exist in a literal sense, many job boards have moved toward a virtual format. Often federal or state governments will provide job boards and job banks that job seekers can access.

You can also use job search engines on the internet or the vast number of career-related websites that post job openings, such as Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com. These websites function in a similar way to the traditional want-ads, however, they have a much quicker turnaround time and allow you to search a much larger number of jobs over a large area.

4. Job Fairs

Job fairs are typically targeted toward specific industries, though some job or recruitment fairs are more generalized. These ads will usually come with a list of the organizations that will be present. Investigate any companies that interest you, bring a number of resumes and be ready to sell yourself.

Consider any conversations with recruiters as mini interviews that can set you apart from other applicants. Some organizations may even offer on-site interviews to candidates that match their requirements.

5. Company Websites

If you already have your dream employer in mind, why not go directly to the career section of their website? If you watch for openings on their site, there's a chance you'll find just the opportunity that you've been waiting for.

Create a list of employers that you'd like to work for and visit their websites often. If you're really set on working for a specific company it may take some time to find just the opportunity that fits your skill set.

But if you've got the luxury of time, this might be the optimal method for finding your dream job.

6. Cold Calling

If you don't see any job listings posted for a company you're particularly interested in, you might consider making a cold call.

You can use the telephone or email to contact individuals within an organization by finding their contact details on the company website or by inquiring with a receptionist. Contact individuals directly to find out if they foresee any upcoming vacancies, and be sure to attach a copy of your resume to any emails you send.

You can also ask for information about types of jobs, or what kind of skills or qualities the organization looks for in a candidate. Keep in mind that this kind of contact may not always be well received, but there is always a chance it'll give you the inside track on upcoming vacancies.

7. Head Hunters and Recruitment Agencies

If you're looking for some professional help in your job search, head hunters and recruitment agencies can definitely lend a hand (though in some cases it may come at a price).

There are a number of organizations that hire through recruitment agencies because it helps to streamline the lengthy process of locating and interviewing candidates.

Head hunters locate individuals to fill a specific vacancy within an organization or find a position for a job seeker who has hired their services.

Payment is often based upon commission. Keep in mind that many high schools, colleges and universities have job placement services that can help new graduates to develop their resumes and assist both current students and alumni with their job searches.

8. Temping or Internships

Sometimes temporary employment can lead to permanent positions. If you're without work, finding a temporary position with a great company is a great way to get a foot in the door, or provide you with useful business contacts to call upon in the future.

Many recruitment agencies can assist with locating temporary or casual positions and contract work.

Internships are a great choice for students who are just graduating from college and many schools' job placement services can connect students with opportunities. Volunteering can also be a great method for gaining valuable industry contacts.

9. Creative or Outlandish Tactics

In a competitive job market, some job seekers have moved toward more creative methods for drawing attention to themselves.

Billboards, chain letters with a copy of your resume attached, or even pasting your resume to yourself and walking around the city as a human billboard are just some of the methods individuals have used to get noticed by potential employers. Though these methods can actually work, be cautious.

You may get the attention of recruiters, but you may also be sending the wrong message. If you're going to resort to creative techniques, be sure that it's appropriate for the industry in which you're attempting to find employment.

The Bottom Line

In the modern job market, finding the very best job opportunities often requires a combination of methods. Always keep in mind that there are a variety of methods available for finding job opportunities, all with their own strengths and weaknesses, so don't be shy to experiment with a variety of techniques.