IT skills, computers and writing your CV

Whatever you decide to do, there are few jobs nowadays that do not require IT skills at some level. Even finding a job or somewhere to acquire new skills can be easier with the aid of the internet and for writing a CV a computer is essential these days. Upgrading your computer is a good idea if you want to get up to speed with word processing and the latest changes in technology.

Although not known primarily for IT sales, high street and major online retailer Currys has a decent selection of pcs, laptops and Apple Macs, as well as accessories. Visit their site to see what is on offer and to check out their best sellers.

Brush up your skills
If you are nervous around computers and want to improve your IT skills or are a complete novice, there are loads of courses available for all different levels of competence. Local authorities will all have information about where you can access the best course for your needs and a trip to your library should also turn up information or prospectuses for adult learning resources near you.

Writing a CV
In the job stakes your CV or curriculum vitae is your most important asset. A prospective employer will make an instant judgement about your suitability for a job as soon as they read your CV and if it does not come up to scratch then it does not matter how talented or suitable for the post you may be you will fall at the first hurdle.

Do not use overlong words or convoluted vocabulary. Never include your photograph – unless specifically asked to do so – and keep it short. Apart from the front page one side of A4 should be long enough, you are not writing a novel. Also keep the design simple – avoid lurid colours, obscure fonts and artistic embellishments.

Start off with your name, address and contact details, followed by a short profile which should tell your prospective employer about your skills, experience to date and what you would like to achieve in your career.

Your career history - with your most recent employment first – should feature next. The past ten years will be more than sufficient. Outline any duties, responsibilities and achievements. Last comes education and qualifications, personal interests and names of referees.

Make sure that you print it on decent paper and send the requested number of copies. At this stage there is no need to send certificates or letters of reference. Check it very carefully before you send it for any mistakes in spelling or grammar. In addition it is a good idea to ask someone else to read it.

Be honest. Don’t try to cover up breaks in employment or change dates. It is not difficult to check such things and if you are caught out you will ruin any chances of ...

Job interviews

Job interviews
So you have made it through to the interview for a job you would really like in your new life after divorce. Before you set off on the big day you need to prepare yourself. Being confident about your abilities is great but may not be enough to carry you through. There are plenty of things you can do ahead of time to ensure that everything goes as well as it possibly can.

First, confirm in a phone call that you will be attending. his is also a good time to check the location, to ask for directions and to find out about transport links or parking.

Ask who will be interviewing you and what may be involved. Lots of companies use additional tests and exercises to determine candidate suitability.

Find out as much as you can about any prospective employer. For example, if you are applying for a job in retail visit at least one of their stores in order to familiarise yourself with what they sell.

Check your CV and application form again. Think about how you can explain breaks in work, seeming lack of qualifications or poor grades for GCSEs perhaps.

Consider the type of questions you are likely to be asked and what your answers could be. There is usually an opportunity at the end of an interview for you to put your own questions to whoever is conducting the interview.

Decide well in advance what you are going to wear. Look smart, if you feel comfortable you will be much more relaxed and able to concentrate on answering the interviewer\'s questions.

Never, never be late, it is a cardinal sin.

Stay calm during the interview. Take your time answering questions and if you don’t have an answer to something be honest and say so. Be friendly and remember to smile but avoid inane grinning.

Make eye contact without staring and speak clearly. Don’t fidget or slouch in your chair which indicates boredom. Sit upright – leaning forward slightly shows that you are interested in what the other person is saying. Keep your hands folded on your lap and be attentive at all times.

Never say anything derogatory about past employers or colleagues as it will reflect badly on you and not them.

A sense of humour is an advantage and indicates intelligence.

Unless a company is simply going through the motions because they have already appointed somebody to the post, they will be keen for you to be the person they are looking for. It is up to you to prove to them that you are the best candidate. Even if you don’t get the job you will be better prepared for your next interview.

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Now you are divorced you need to keep your job or maybe get a brand new one

Now that you've got over the divorce bit you might be looking for a new job to commemorate your life after divorce and if you don't you certainly will need to keep the one you've got. 

Either way it's going to be more difficult in times of recession.  To help here are seven terrific tips to help you keep the job you've got or do well in your new job.

Keep up with what's going on in your world of work
There is not an industry on the planet that isn't changing very fast and you need to keep up.  Read about everything you can in your trade media as well as searching online for the latest developments in your industry.  If you don't know about the importance of social media then you absolutely really should.

Broaden the scope within your work
See that the work you do in your business is an integral part in what the business is trying to achieve.  Don't attempt to poach other people's responsibilities, but demonstrate how your work integrates with their work to make a better business.

Create your own career path
Try to make sure that you know where you want to be going in the company of the industry in general and make sure you know how to get there.  If you leave it to HR they will probably do what they think is best for the company which may not be best for you.

Keep your standard high
Don't be complacent.  If you think you're pretty damn good at the job, you probably aren't.  Competition is strong and you need to be improving your performance every day just to keep your distance from the rest of the pack.

Be resourceful
It's not always going to go right and how you respond to set backs is almost as important as what you do to combat them.  Just because it didn't go right this time does not mean that you haven't got the skill and ability to get it right next time.

Stay healthy
The gym, or a long walk over a windswept moorland is going to keep you in good shape, but more importantly will sharpen your mind and refresh your soul.  You are going to need all of this to do a good job and help make the very best of the opportunities in your new life after divorce.

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