Spinwell Global

Interesting Jobs for Interesting People

What is the Importance of Building a Professional Network?

‘Networking’ is a prevalent practice in the professional sphere, known as the process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop different contacts. Without knowing, you probably network daily when you meet new people or socialise with friends! We understand that putting yourself out there can be daunting, but building a professional network can offer various benefits for your career – here’s a handful of our favourites.

A Platform to Share Your Ideas

For some, career success is attributed to the pool of information gained through life and experiences. It can be tough to grasp the depth of your understanding without speaking and listening to like-minded people, but this is exactly what your network can offer!

Your network will provide you with a platform to trade ideas and develop professionally as an individual. If you’re stuck on a problem for an extended period and all your research opportunities have been exhausted, your network is on hand to help. Whether it’s offering updated information or alternative ideas, your network can provide expert support and help you get that all-important breakthrough.

Access Your Future Career Opportunities

As you interact with your network, you will stand out for your unique capabilities and skills, which may lead to future career opportunities. According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking, so it’s vital if you’re on the job hunt to get out there! Opportunities can vary, from meeting potential clients to impressing like-minded people, so it’s important to utilise this avenue.

Your network can also help you better understand yourself and your career path. Perhaps there is an opportunity you weren’t aware of or a skill set you are not effectively utilising? Regular communication with your network can keep you updated with these opportunities and help you unlock your true potential!

It all sounds very exciting (and trust us, it is!), but it’s also important to not lose sight of your end goal. Ensure the opportunities presented are right for you and don’t forget to explore alternative vacancies before making any final decisions.

Develop Relationships

Of course, the primary purpose of professional networking is to develop and nurture professional relationships; however, think of all the friends you have made in different career roles throughout your life so far!

We’re not saying to treat your network like a dating site or a method to gain new friends,but some of the strongest and most long-standing relationships* and friendships develop from these professional settings. Your networking contacts are likely to be people with similar careers and goals to yourself, so it’s not unheard of that your professional network spills over into your personal life.

Enjoying your career and the role you are working in is essential, so surrounding yourself with these people shouldn’t be a corporate or tedious process. Achieving this balance of professionalism is crucial to ensuring you are enjoying your career.

A great tip is to begin networking in your workplace and utilise your co-workers’ contacts to build a larger network. If your current workplace isn’t cutting it, you’ve come to the right place! Take a look at our current vacancies, or get in touch with our team of experts to find your perfect role.

*Please don’t use LinkedIn as a dating site – there are plenty of more appropriate platforms to search for the love of your life.

Could Temporary Roles Help You in Your Job Search?

Let’s face it – finding the perfect permanent position can be tricky. Regardless of what sector you’re searching in, that dream job may be nowhere to be found for a while yet, so you must have a plan in place.

Whether you’re currently between jobs or simply looking for a change, a temporary position could be the solution to your problems. We completely understand some people desire the security of a permanent role, but temporary positions can boost your CV and make you a top candidate when the time is right!

Here are some of the benefits taking on a temporary job can provide, so you can give the option some consideration as part of your job search.

Prevent Career Gaps

We understand that there are various reasons people can have career gaps on their CV. From redundancy to professionally retraining, not everyone has back-to-back job experience to list.

A temporary position can offer the perfect stepping stone if you’re unemployed and currently seeking a role. You could be improving on your existing skill-set and learning new ones along the way, creating a more dynamic portfolio.

Demonstrates Important Skills

Let’s face it, a temporary position is fantastic for learning and improving various skills. Working in a temporary role actually demonstrates an array of skills in itself, such as:

You’re adaptable in terms of your transferable skills and flexibility in trying new things.
You’re hard-working and want to continue developing while you navigate a permanent position.
You’re a fast learner, having completed the tasks required in a role you may not have previous experience in.

The list goes on, and it can be a fantastic talking point during interviews, where you can demonstrate how this experience has positively impacted your career path.

Additional Positive References

Positive word-of-mouth recommendations go a long way in your job search. Potential employers will check with previous employers on various matters, including your performance and personal attributes that made you a pinnacle member of their team.

You must ask permission from the individual to list them as a reference, but most people will be happy to provide positive feedback to your future employer. With this type of work, it can be difficult to understand whom to use as your reference, so please always check with your recruitment consultant!

Improves Your Professional Network

Gaining experience in a new setting means new people and opportunities! Whether your temporary position is in your ideal sector or you’re trying something else, you’re bound to meet an abundance of interesting people.

Whether it’s networking internally or attending events as part of the organisation, you will become exposed to potential opportunities, such as possible job offers!

Greater Understanding of Your Job Search

At the end of the day, your job search can become tiring, and you may start to lose focus on what you want. The mind wanders, especially if you lose hope in finding that dream role. By looking for a temporary position, you might learn more about yourself than you think!

Whether it’s discovering a hidden passion or observing company culture, you will begin to piece together what parts of a new position are personally negotiable and non-negotiable. This can help you narrow down the job search and go after what you want.

Need we say more? Head over to our current vacancies to discover what opportunities await you.

IDVT – Identity Document Validation Technology

What is IDVT & How it Affects You

IDVT stands for Identity Document Validation Technology. This is soon to be the go-to way for British and Republic of Ireland passport holders to be verified for employment. IDVT has been introduced by the Home Office, where employers and recruiters like Spinwell will complete verification checks on candidates digitally.

The new IDVT verification checks will come into force on the 1st October 2022. The IDVT check is being introduced on the backend of the pandemic and how verification checks were carried out over this period. Under the previous system, checks used to be held over a video call between the employer and candidate. Nevertheless, this is about to change, employers will now be required to review documents digitally but meet with British and Republic of Ireland candidates in person if the candidate does not hold an up-to-date passport.

Why is IDVT Replacing the Previous System?

Upon review of the previous systems that were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, both employers and the government alike could see the benefits of carrying out verification checks remotely. However, this left a sense of paranoia as it left room for fraudulent activity. Employers were not able to check over the identification documents physically, leaving chance for them to be doctored with.

The introduction of IDVT into the verification process can help promise that employees in waiting are verified using a method that poses a greatly reduced risk for employers.

How Does IDVT Work?

IDVT only works when a holder’s passport (including Irish passport cards) is in date. IDVT processes and analyses the documents provided by the prospective employee through a digital identity service provider (IDSP) to complete the digital element of the right to work checks.

By allowing people to upload images of their personal documents as opposed to presenting them physically to employers, it means that the onboarding process is sped up.

Employers who do not carry out these checks correctly or in its entirety will face repercussions. Employers can expect fines of up to £20,000 per falsely checked employee, varying case to case.

What does IDVT mean for Non-British and Non-Republic of Ireland Passport Holders?

If you cannot be security checked by IDVT (currently about 32% cannot), what are your options? The pandemic has encouraged more organisations to adopt a hybrid working model, so those who do not have a ‘physical place of work’ are facing issues. It may result in the need to meet face-to-face in a mutually convenient location or send your documentation via a secure service to a client’s place of business. We understand your apprehension. Waiting until you attend your new role isn’t an option, so efforts to ensure these checks are completed will be vital to ensure you can get to work right away.

For oversees workers, a BRP (Biometric Residents Permit) card or an E-Visa was introduced on 6th April 2022. The BRP was introduced to replace work permits that were previously included within passports for non-British and non-Republic of Ireland workers. By providing copies and images of personal documentation the process has become digitalised. After employers receive permission to conduct the check, candidates will provide a ‘share code’ and their date of birth so that employers can obtain the right to work documentation.

Alternatively, where permitted, employers and recruiters alike can use the Home Office online services which provides right to work in real time direct from Home Office systems.

Here at Spinwell, we have thoroughly prepared for the change in identity checks whatever your circumstances may be. If you aren’t sure how the changes will impact you, please contact your recruitment consultant who will be more than happy to help.

info@spinwellglobal.com | 02035109454

In Summary

IDVT stands for Identity Document Validation Technology.
IDVT mitigates risk of fraud.
IDVT processes and analyses the documents provided by prospective British and Republic of Ireland employees through a IDSP to complete the digital element of the right to work checks.
BRP or an E-Visa was introduced on 6th April 2022 for non-British and non-Republic of Ireland passport holders.
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Big data and the IT careers it prompts

Within today’s digital ecosystem, there is no denying how much of an influence big data has had on companies, organisations, as well as the multitude of opportunities it prompts for professional IT careers and more.

Big data relates to the extraction and harvesting of data which when analysed provides insightful information to organisations.

Managing big data has become an area that has provided many opportunities for IT professionals. This briefly explains the potential for increased salaries for professionals in the IT field as it requires you to have a specialised technical skill set and expertise in the mining of big data.

Below we will outline a few IT roles that have been driven by big data:

Data Warehouse manager

This role involves the managing of teams that are purely responsible for the designing, maintaining, implementing and/or creating data warehouse systems.

Data Security Analyst

Cybersecurity is a large feature of this role. It takes into account security, risk assessments and carefully developing security policies for the company.

Business Intelligence Analyst

Here, professionals utilise the extraction of big data into analysing all relevant key information to make informed decisions. This role may also include reviewing data to producing well informed reports relating to the company’s financial records and/or market intelligence reports to increase efficiency while simultaneously maximizing profits

Transitioning back into the workplace environment

You may have been out of work pursuing other things such as raising a family, further education or any other reason. After a while away in a different environment, coming back into the workplace setting can seem a bit overwhelming or daunting and it will never be the same as when you left it.

You may feel like your skills are outdated, in most cases new employees may have been recruited and your old colleagues/contacts have moved onto different roles or workplaces and so on.

And so, to help ease that transition, here are a few ways to help boost your confidence, tweak up your resume, finetune and redefine your already existing skills to get back into the corporate world.

Seek an experts’ opinion

Getting back to this environment and hitting the job market cold, certainly can put you in an unfavourable position especially considering employment gaps.

Seeking help from a recruitment agency and partnering with a consultant can help fasten the process with ease. A recruitment consultant can guide you with tips on how to enhance and tweak your resume into highlighting your skills and strengths whilst also helping you with the job search process. They may also guide you with tips on how to ace interviews and get you up to speed with all that you have missed.

Build new skills and experience through temporary roles

While it not be your first choice, it is always a good idea to get into temporary roles, especially considering you are getting back into the workplace after some time off. It may be a good way to sharpen and fine tune your skills and gain some experience. Asking your recruitment consultant to match you with relevant roles that pertain to your interests can further ease your transition into the workforce.

Maintaining your online presence

Before you start your job search it is a good idea to update your LinkedIn or any other professional profile. It doesn’t hurt to also contact your former colleagues or employers to let them know that you are currently looking for work. Keep a good lookout for openings that may turn up on LinkedIn as a lot of companies use the platform to advertise vacant roles as well as other job boards.

Explaining your employment gaps

When drafting your CV, it is always best to be open, honest and transparent when explaining your employment gaps. It wouldn’t hurt to also maybe include them in your cover letter.

Market skills you have developed outside of the workforce

You may have undertaken unpaid volunteer or charity work during your time off. It is always a good idea to use those skills you have picked up to help market yourself. For instance, if you were in charge of bookkeeping for your community fundraising event, you may speak of the various organisational and financial skills you picked up on doing so. Be sure to fill in your recruitment specialist in on these sorts of beneficial activities that you may have taken on during your time away..

What right things are you doing when preparing for an interview?

Preparing for a job interview can be an overwhelming task, and it’s easy to get lost in the sea of advice available online. However, it’s important to focus on the essentials to make sure you’re doing the right things when it comes to interview prep. Here are some insightful tips to help you prepare effectively for your next job interview.

Research the company and the role you’re applying for

This may seem obvious, but it’s surprising how many candidates skip this crucial step. Look for information about the company’s culture, values, and mission statement. Check out their website, social media channels, and press releases. This will help you tailor your responses to the interviewer’s questions and demonstrate your interest in the company. Also, review the job description and make a list of the key skills and qualifications required. This will help you highlight your relevant experience and achievements during the interview.

Practice your responses to common interview questions

Preparing for potential questions beforehand will help you feel more confident during the interview. Take the time to reflect on your past experiences and how they relate to the job you’re applying for. Consider using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. Additionally, practice your non-verbal communication, such as maintaining eye contact and using appropriate body language.

Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer

This is a great opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the company and the role. Ask about the company’s growth plans, the team dynamics, and how success is measured. Also, inquire about the next steps in the hiring process and the timeline for making a decision. Remember, the interview is a two-way street, and you’re also evaluating whether the company is the right fit for you.

Don’t forget to follow up after the interview

Send a thank-you email within 24 hours to the interviewer, reiterating your interest in the role and highlighting why you’re the best candidate for the job. This is also a chance to address any questions or concerns that came up during the interview. Following up shows that you’re professional, engaged, and willing to go the extra mile.

In conclusion, effective interview preparation requires research, practice, and attention to detail. By focusing on the essentials, you can increase your chances of acing the interview and landing your dream job. Remember to stay calm, confident, and authentic during the interview, and let your passion and enthusiasm shine through. Good luck!

9 Cover Letter Tips to Secure a Job

A cover letter is your opportunity to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers. A well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference in securing a job interview.

Here are nine tips to help you write a compelling cover letter that will impress hiring managers and land you your dream job:

Customize your cover letter for each job application
Tailor your letter to the specific job requirements and show how your skills and experience align with the job description.
Use keywords from the job posting to highlight your relevant qualifications.
Address the hiring manager by name
Avoid using generic salutations like “To whom it may concern.” Research the company and the hiring manager’s name and address them directly.
Begin with a strong opening sentence that grabs the reader’s attention
Use an anecdote, a statistic, or a bold statement to pique the hiring manager’s interest and make them want to read more.
Highlight your relevant skills and experience
Use specific examples from your past work experience to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.
Be sure to quantify your accomplishments with numbers or percentages when possible.
Show your enthusiasm for the company and the job
Explain why you are interested in the company and what excites you about the position. This will demonstrate your passion and commitment to the job.
Keep your cover letter concise and to the point
Avoid using jargon or technical terms that the hiring manager may not understand.
Keep your sentences short and clear, focus on your most important qualifications.
Use a professional tone and avoid slang or informal language
Your cover letter should be polished and professional, so avoid using colloquial language or contractions.
Close your cover letter with a strong call to action
Express your interest in meeting with the hiring manager and reiterate your qualifications for the job.
Provide your contact information and encourage the hiring manager to reach out to you for an interview.
Proofread your cover letter for errors and typos
Make sure your letter is free from spelling and grammar mistakes.
Ask a friend or mentor to review your letter before you submit it.

In conclusion, a well-written cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants and secure a job interview. By following these nine tips, you can craft a compelling cover letter that highlights your skills and experience and demonstrates your enthusiasm for the job. Good luck! 1

Avoiding a long recruitment process when hiring candidates

Hiring candidates in this day and age, with the talent pool that’s available is certainly no easy task. If you have hired someone in the past that turned out to be not the right fit it can, in some cases, cause you to drag on the recruitment process as the experience of that costly hiring mistake may be haunting you to this day.

But there are ways in which you can avoid a long recruitment process. Below we will discuss a few:

1. Articulating your hiring needs and writing up the job description

You know what you want. So, ensure that it is clearly outlined and that all the skills and qualifications required for the job are very well defined. Be honest about the duties and responsibilities the employee is expected to take on.

2. Get in position

Ensure that you have gotten the ‘go ahead’ to hire someone alongside an approved rate. Taking all that time and effort to find the right candidate only to be unable to actually hire them and having to start the recruitment process all over again is an extreme hassle which puts you right back where you started.

3. Organisation

Organisation is key in recruiting candidates. Ensure that you set out and schedule dates and timings for meetings with the candidates alongside deadlines for up to when they can send you their resumes.

4. Checking References

Checking references are key to avoiding mistakes when it comes to hiring. Don’t speed up this process as you want to make sure the person you are hiring truly is legit and has the capabilities of performing what the role calls for.

5. Get back to the candidates

Whether you decided to hire them or not, do not leave the hanging. Let them know when they could expect to hear from you by and be sure to follow through with it.

Making a great first impression

Attire and presenting yourself

It is vital that you present yourself in the most professional manner possible. Generally, the way you present yourself/ your appearance does give the hiring manager an immediate first impression of you before you actually start talking in the interview.

If, for instance, you have a meeting at a law firm, it would be ideal for you to come dressed in formal attire like a suit or similar. But if you were to have a job interview at a creative agency for instance, something a little less formal and leaning more towards the casual side would be more apt.

All in all, irrespective of where you work or are called into for an interview, it is vital that your personal hygiene is up to scratch and that whatever you wear is clean and sharp and that you present the best version of you.

Gestures

Your body language plays a great part when it comes to the way in which you maintain interaction in an interview. A good handshake goes a long way. It immediately gives the hiring manager an impression of the kind of person you are. For instance, maintaining good eye contact and not slouching and having good posture presents yourself as confident and knowledgeable.

It wouldn’t hurt to throw in a smile in your conversation. At the end of the day, practise makes perfect so it might even help if you could practise with a friend who’s willing to help.

Communication

The first few seconds of an interview ideally creates an impression of the kind of person you are like, whilst the next few sort of cements that whole image all the more. So it is important that you think before you speak and at a good volume and pace. Do not speak over them as it would not necessarily portray a good lasting impression of you and may come across as disrespectful.

It is normal to be anxious, so take your time (although not too long) and speak at a steady pace. And here too again, practise makes perfect.

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Saying No to Your Co-workers

Saying No to Your Co-workers: Setting Boundaries and Maintaining Control

When it comes to parenting, saying “no” to a child can be challenging. Although it may escalate tantrums or mood swings, it is a crucial aspect of setting boundaries and making long-term decisions. By saying “no,” children learn who is in control, rather than simply saying “yes” to avoid immediate conflict.

Oddly enough, in a work context, we often find ourselves hesitant to say “no.” This reluctance stems from our desire to be perceived as “good people.” Moreover, if we do muster the courage to decline a request, we may feel obligated to say “yes” the next time to alleviate the guilt from previously denying someone’s ask. This phenomenon is known as the “second-ask” effect.

However, taking on additional work solely to avoid offending others is a recipe for resentment, especially when you already have a mountain of tasks to complete.

The Power of Saying No: Setting Priorities and Delegating

Consequently, prioritizing your own needs can enable you to focus on and finish your work more effectively.

Additionally, saying “no” can also serve as a powerful tool for reaffirming your authority or delegating tasks. For example, you could respond with statements like, “I’m sorry, but that is not within my job description; it would be better for someone else’s self-development,” or “I believe this task would be more suitable for someone else to handle.”

The Art of Saying No While Saying Yes

The savvy individuals among us have mastered the art of saying “no” while still saying “yes.” Suppose a colleague asks you to take on extra work on their behalf. In that case, the following response demonstrates this approach:

“Yes, I could assist with your additional workload. However, this would inevitably delay my current project, causing further delays. Would that be acceptable to you?”

Here, you employ a clever tactic that empowers them to decide what truly matters to them, thereby depersonalizing the request.

In certain situations, you can also use company policy to depersonalize your refusal, stating, “I’m sorry, but it is against company policy to fulfill this request.”

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