Cover Letter 101

Nowadays, a lot of the jobs in London (and elsewhere for that matter) that you’ll find advertised through the likes of reed.co.uk ask for two things: a cover letter, and your CV. It seems that the age of application forms is largely behind us, which is good, because they’re a nightmare, but bad because with so much competition for every role, impressing with just your cover letter and your CV can be a challenge.

Many people think that the CV is the most important part, but they’re wrong. Nearly every candidate nowadays has a well-written CV, and broadly speaking most people will have similar experiences. Your cover letter is an opportunity to show off your personality, and that’s, ultimately, what you’ll be hired for.

Personalisation

Just like a CV your cover letter should be rewritten for every single job application, whilst you can get away with tweaking your CV to highlight your competencies for that particular job, your cover letter should be completely rewritten. Look through the advertisement carefully and make sure you hit all the major points.

Spelling and Grammar

Make sure that you check the letter at least 700 times, there is no excuse for spelling and grammar errors, particularly with computer spell checks and if your letter is littered with errors, you’ll be straight on the rubbish heap.

Be Genuine

Why do you want the job? And what will you bring to it? These are the key questions for a cover letter, just like an interview. If you don’t want the job, and you can’t lie about it, then you’re in trouble from word go. Avoid buzzwords like ‘passion’ and ‘enthusiasm’ and write simply what you think. It’s a good opportunity because…

Concision

No more than one page, preferably no more than four paragraphs, be clear, straightforward and don’t feel the need to qualify every statement. If you’re ambitious and you see the job as a great opportunity to advance your career in xyz, then say so, there’s no harm in making it apparent from the outset.

Fluffy Words

Avoid sentences starting with “I believe” and “I think”, you don’t believe you’re brilliant, you are brilliant, so say so (although, probably not as directly as that). Conviction is all important, have faith in yourself.

And finally…

Don’t just write your cover letter on the basis of the advertisement, do some research on the company and find something that you particularly like (or that they go out of their way to advertise) and mention it. Show the reader that you’ve gone to the effort to find out a little more about what they do. Most importantly, if the advertisement says ‘make your applications to Wendy’ then start your letter with “Dear Wendy,” or “Dear Ms”, “To whom it may concern” is a horrible way to start a cover letter and will immediately get thrown in the trash.

Good luck!

Just Graduated? Can’t find a job? You’re definitely not alone. The graduate jobs market is as crowded as ever and, according to the BBC, there are currently 88 applicants for every graduate job in the UK. Wowzers. So how are you going to land that dream job straight out of university? Here are 5 recommendations from job search engine Adzuna to get your career off to a winning  start:

1. Twitter and Facebook are gold mines

You’d be absolutely amazed how many companies (big and small) are now posting jobs on twitter and facebook (and not on traditional sites like Monster and Totaljobs). Businesses are advertising vacancies on social networks because it’s a) Free b) Has lots of viral potential. Start by following the companies and prolific individuals within the companies you are interested in. Engage with these individuals (without being clingy) and show a genuine interest in what they are doing. Businesses are looking for smart, experienced people but they’re also on the look out for people that “buy into” their mission. This is a great platform to demonstrate your enthusiasm for a company or brand.

2. Do an internship (even if it’s unpaid) 

Most students in the UK who have just graduated from university have a bit of summer work experience and maybe the odd pub job on their CV. Not that impressive. Doing an internship straight after university in the field you’re interested in starting your career looks outstanding on your CV. Not only does it demonstrate to potential employers that you’re passionate about their industry, it also will give you a valuable learning experience within your chosen field. Hell, if you’re really good, your internship might even turn into a full time job. You can find a complete list of internship jobs in the on the Adzuna job search engine.

3. Don’t mess up your job application 

With 88 people applying for the same job as you, a typo or spelling mistake on your CV or application letter could mean your CV ends up in the bin after 5 minutes. In addition to sifting out spelling / grammatical errors, make sure you say something in your covering letter to make you stand out. Don’t be boastful, but be interesting. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a professional attribute or “claim to fame”, a quintessential nugget of information about yourself that sticks in the employers mind might actually get your foot in the door for an interview.

4. Don’t be ashamed to use your friends / family connections

Forget pride and a “i want to do it by myself” attitude. This market is way too competitive for that kind of thinking. Work your personal networks hard to get you into hiring companies. The average number of “connections” per user on Linkedin is 180. If you can find 10 family members or friends with a decent chunk of professional work experience, that will ultimately give you access to almost 2,000 connections (who are probably willing to help you out) in the professional arena. Work these folks hard to give you your first big break.

5. Don’t shoot for the stars too early. This is your first proper job after all. 

Let’s face it, you’re not going to be a CEO straight out of the blocks. Often graduates aim to high and end up competing for a position with people who have 5 years+ experience under their belts. Be sensible and apply for jobs that you realistically think you have a chance of getting. Do your research and try to prune down a list of 20 “interesting” jobs to 3-5 which are spot on for you. You’ll get that dream job eventually and it’s important to start your career on the right course, but don’t be afraid of a bit of menial / low paid work before you get there!

Possessing a good degree is no longer enough to guarantee you employment in a career you actually want. Although having a degree from a good university is a solid subject will help you get from the bottom to the middle of a massive pile of C.V.’s on the HR manager’s desk, it will no longer get you to the top. For that you need work experience. But how to you get experience if you can’t get a job? It is a bit of catch 22 situation. You can’t get a job because you don’t have experience but you can’t get experience because you don’t have a job. There is a way around this problem: internships or unpaid work experience.

However, with so many people willing to work for free these days to get a job, how do you get the most out of your experience?

It’s a sad fact that many young people are exploited in the work place these days. Almost one in five businesses admits to using interns as cheap labour according to a YouGov poll. Last summer alone, there were 250,000 interns working in for UK companies and most of these were unpaid. It seems it is now expected that graduates have done form of work experience placement, whether it be paid or unpaid. So, if you can’t beat the system, you’ll need to work around it.

If you want to work for a specific company then target them directly. Tailor your C.V. around what they are looking for. Contact them on Twitter or LinkedIn and say why you want to work for them specifically. Even if a company is not advertising for interns, paid or otherwise, it doesn’t mean they won’t take you on, after all, who doesn’t like getting something for free?!

If you get a placement, don’t waste it. Use it to help you get more. Make the most of the connections you make, most industries are smaller than you think and people tend to know each other, so use previous contacts to make new ones. Always stay in touch with the people you have worked for, even if it’s just via Facebook or Twitter; it could lead to paid work in the future.

If you are looking for graduate jobs or internships visit Guardian Jobs.

The job interview is an extremely important element of the employment process. It is vital that you create the best possible impression in order to maximize your chances of securing your dream position. If you are successful in the first stage of the application process, you will probably be short listed for a job interview. Prospective employers will chose the best candidate based on this interview process. One person may interview you, or alternatively, there may be a panel of people interviewing you for the position.

The purpose of a job interview is to answer questions about your interests, experiences and personality so that the potential employer can develop a sense of how suitable you may be for the position vacant. A job interview is actually a two way process, which many people forget. In a sense, you can interview the company about possible opportunities and the services that the company provides. It is very important to remember that even if you are not successful at interview, you can ask for feedback so that you can improve in the future and improve your chances of future success.

Presentation

• Dress neatly and in keeping with the role that you are applying for.
• Carry a briefcase or satchel with extra copies of your resume and perhaps a business card.
• Wear a suit and tie and shine your shoes.
• Make sure your hair is clean and neat.
• Don’t wear too much make-up.

Formality

• Be very polite and formal.
• Shake hands at the start and end of the interview and thank your prospective employer for taking the time to speak with you.
• Maintain good eye contact and sit straight.

Sell Your Strengths

• Emphasize your strengths as often as possible throughout the interview, but don’t exaggerate.
• Memorize some key answers to questions that you think may be asked of you and then restructure them in the interview so that they connect with the actual questions.
• Experience is very important, so for each answer that you give, attempt to work in some examples of actual experience that you have had.
• Speak with enthusiasm and expression.
• Pause before you speak and think carefully before responding.
• Don’t talk too fast as this indicates a lack of confidence and an inability to cope under pressure.

Research

Research the company or business. This can help you to feel very prepared and confident prior to the interview. Most companies will have a website with an About Us page or brochures with details of the company. Go to the actual premises before the interview to get a feel for the company and learn the layout. Ask friends and business associates about the business. Make a list of questions to ask about the company.

Possible Interview Questions

1. Why do you think you are the best candidate for the position?
2. What do you know about our company?
3. Why do you want this job?
4. What experience do you have that is relevant to the position?
5. Describe your best personal attributes?
6. What is your main weakness?
7. Give an example of a time when you worked well in a team to achieve a goal.

London, the bustling and vibrant capital city of England welcomes millions of international and national visitors each year. To cope with such demand, London has a wealth of quality hotels offering accommodation suitable for all tastes and budgets. From spa hotels to youth hostels, the hotels in London cover the entire spectrum. There are also several hotels in close proximity to London’s main airports at Heathrow, Gatwick, City Airport, Stanstead and London Luton.

With such a wide variety of hotels within the London area you can be sure that many have job vacancies and are recruiting staff for a variety of positions.

London Hotel Receptionist Job Vacancies

All hotels, regardless of star rating or budgets, need a reception area (or Front of House) to provide check in and check out services. There are a variety of job vacancies for Receptionists / Front of House staff across a number of London hotels.

You may find that the recruitment criterion varies depending upon the type of establishment. For example, certain hotels that accommodate large numbers of international guests require their reception staff to be able to speak a second language such as French or German. Others may seek candidates with qualifications or skills in typing and administration. It is likely that high star establishments will seek to employ candidates with a proven track record for the position and previous experience in the hospitality industry.

As the hotel receptionist is often the first point of contact for the customer it is vital that the person has good communication skills, can speak English fluently and is smartly presented with good hygiene standards.

As hotels often offer reception services throughout the day and night it is likely that the successful candidate will be expected to work shifts. It is vital therefore that you can be flexible with your working hours. You should also expect to be required to work some weekends and during the busy peak periods such as Christmas and New Year. Due to the 24 hour nature of the job you will find that full time and part time vacancies are commonly available.

With many hotels, the Receptionist may also be expected to undertake various other duties such as promoting the hotels additional facilities to new guests, advertising the restaurants and bars and dealing with enquiries on the telephone. Candidates are therefore required to have a positive and confident attitude and be capable of selling the services available to increase overall profitability.

How do I find details of Receptionist Job Vacancies in London?

There are a number of ways to find details of job vacancies for Receptionists or Front of House Staff.

The direct route

If you have a particular hotel in mind then you could contact them directly. You can try writing to the Hotel Manager or HR Manager with a speculative letter and a copy of your CV, stating why you would like to work as a receptionist in their hotel. Always try and find the name of the manager you are writing to as it shows you have made an effort. You could also visit the hotel and speak to the reception staff to see if they are aware of any vacancies available.

Newspapers

Buy a copy of your local newspaper, or the newspaper local to the hotel you are interested in. Quite often, a hotel will advertise reception job vacancies in the classified jobs section of their local newspaper so this is a great source of information.

Recruitment Agencies

Certain hotels will source staff via a recruitment agency, particularly if they are searching for a certain calibre of candidate. There are a number of trusted recruitment agencies who work with hotels such as Reed and Monsterjobs.com.

Online recruitment agencies

There are a number of online recruitment agencies that specialise in advertising receptionist job vacancies in the London area, so consider trying:

www.lth-hotels.com

www.redgoldfish.co.uk

www.jobrapido.co.uk

London Hotel Catering Job Vacancies

Some of the most prestigious restaurants in the UK are located within London’s top hotels. These restaurants will only recruit high calibre candidates to work in their establishments and trainees are expected to show a passion for food and catering. Each hotel within the London area will have a different requirement for their catering, with some only serving simple breakfasts, to others offering full banqueting menus and premium menus.

Job vacancies exist across the capital for men and women to work as Head Chef, Chef de Partie, Sous Chef, Comis Chef, Pastry Chef and more.  To find and apply for any chef job vacancy you should consider consulting with a specialist recruitment agency and you should also look out for advertisements in your local newspaper. As cooking is often described as a talent, some of the best chefs never apply for their next position, but are approached due to their reputation. It is vital therefore that once you are working in this industry you continue to learn, progress and develop your skills if you want to move up the career ladder.

If you are searching for a job as a chef you should be aware of the demanding hours and working conditions of the job. Many of the top London hotels offer food to guests around the clock and the busy breakfast shifts start early. You will therefore not be expected to work 9-5, but will be expected to be fully flexible and work some unsociable hours.

www.myhospitality.co.uk is a great website for catering job vacancies in London.

Along side the team of chefs are waiters and waitresses, and there are numerous job vacancies for waiting staff right across the capital in all types of hotel. When working in a hotel environment the shift patterns for waiting staff are varied and the positions are often popular with students or those who need to work part time or weekends only. Job advertisements for waiters, waitresses and bar tenders can often be found advertised in your local newspaper.

London Hotel Cleaning Job Vacancies

To ensure standards are kept high all hotels require a team of cleaners. There are numerous job vacancies for hotel cleaners advertised for London Hotels. You should be eligible to work in the UK to apply for such a vacancy, and have a good level of fitness as they job is quite physically demanding. You may find that certain hotels will contract out their cleaning, so the staff are not directly employed by the hotel, but another agency.

To find details of any cleaning job vacancies based in London hotels you should check out the classified job advertisements in the local newspapers or search the Internet using sites such as www.jobrapido.co.uk

Manchester, located in north-west England, is the third largest city in the UK and has a wealth of tourist attractions and businesses which require quality hotel accommodation for visitors.

Served by a large, international airport and great transport links and motorways Manchester welcomes millions of visitors each year from other parts of the UK and overseas. There are hundreds of hotels located across the city, serving a variety of budgets and tastes, from unique 5 star boutique hotels to more simple Bed & Breakfast guest houses Manchester can really cater for all.

To meet increasing demand there are often job vacancies advertised for positions with hotels in the Manchester area.

The variety of vacancies and roles available is vast and wide ranging, and due to the operating hours required in hotels you will find an array of full time and part time 9-5 basis and others on a shift or rota basis. There are also many evening and night shifts available. Working in any one of the city’s finest hotels not only provides a stunning work environment, but also a job with much variety. All staff should be prepared to work as part of a team, as hotels often have a real sense of community between staff.

Professional Job Vacancies in Manchester Hotels

A successful hotel, particularly based on the city centre, will operate with a team of professionals.

Turnover can be significant and some of the larger hotels in Manchester will have job vacancies for the following types of professional:

• Financial Accountant
• Sales Executive Corporate
• Sales Executive Non Corporate
• Marketing Executive
• Purchasing Executive
• HR Executive
• IT Executive
• Payroll Executive
• Head Chef

To secure a job in a successful hotel in Manchester in a professional role you will need to have gained previous experience with another employer and be able to demonstrate what skills you will be able to bring to the organisation.

Quite often, the hotel will recruit their professional management staff directly and details of job vacancies can be found on the hotel website. You should therefore target a list of preferred hotels and view their websites, noting details of any suitable vacancies.

One example of a live vacancy with Malmaison, a leading hotel in Manchester’s city centre, is for a Sales Research Executive. This role requires the candidate to identify new corporate clients and businesses for the hotel to target. Duties also include marketing and presenting, liaising with existing and new clients and promoting existing account revenues.

The salaries available to Sales Executives in many of Manchester’s top hotels are competitive and will generally include a bonus scheme, pension, paid holidays and other perks.

Non-Professional Job Vacancies within Manchester Hotels

At the heart of the action are the people who make the hotel tick – the army of people on hand to deliver quality customer service and an experience that will make them want to return time and time again.

There are a number of job opportunities within a number of top Manchester Hotels for people capable of delivering great customer satisfaction.

Roles include the following:

Receptionist – job vacancies exist from front of house staff responsible for checking guests in and out. A Receptionist is often the face of the company and should therefore be fluent in English and be very smartly presented with great personal skills.

Housekeeping Steward – you will commonly find vacancies for house keepers in hotels right across Manchester, employed to keep guests rooms tidy and comfortable.

Porters – Job vacancies exist for staff to greet guests, transport luggage and escort guests to their rooms.

Waiters – many of the hotels in Manchester have one or more restaurants and therefore require waiters and waitresses to work in them.

Chef – working for a head chef, often in a very demanding yet rewarding environment. Some of the finest dining experiences in the UK are to be found in Manchester’s hotel restaurants.

Cleaners – required to keep the hotels clean and tidy, there are always job vacancies for cleaners in Manchester’s hotels.

Pool Attendant – many of the top hotels have leisure facilities and require attendants to work in them.

Bar Staff – idea for those looking for part time or evening work, Manchester’s hotels have a number of bars, many of which are open to non-residents.

The Radisson Edwardian Hotel is one of the leading hotels in Manchester, and is recruiting a number of non-professional staff in a variety of roles. One example vacancy available for application is the position of House Keeping Steward. This role involves working as part of a team to maintain clean and comfortable rooms across the hotel. Candidates should have a good level of fitness as the work is physically demanding and they should be able to speak English. As they are often in contact with the customer, all house keepers should have good levels of hygiene and be well presented at all times.

Regardless of the type of role you are searching for you should be aware that if you work in a hotel you work in a 24-hour service environment. Manchester hotels are the ideal place to search for part time and evening jobs and many students benefit from weekend or holiday work in hotels. If you secure a job with one of the leading city centre hotels you may have found the ideal starting place from which to launch your career, as they generally provide great training and promotion potential.

Manchester Airport is one of the major UK airports and continued growth in recent years means it has become a major employer in the Manchester area, with over 30,000 employees.

This busy airport operates like a large town, with its own fire service, job centre and police team to name just a few of the functions. Internally and externally there are a number of exciting job vacancies available at Manchester Airport for talented and capable individuals and this is a brief guide on finding and securing your dream job.

Manchester Airport Group (MAG) own and operate the airport and currently employ around 3000 employees. Remarkably, there are over 300 private organisations working within the airport that employ over 20,000 staff between them.

MAG are responsible for the following areas of airport management:

• Property Development
• Property Management
• Baggage Handling
• Car Parking
• Airport Security
• Fire Fighting
• Engineering
• Advertising
• Transport

To view any job vacancies at Manchester Airport in the functions listed above you should view the Manchester airport website and follow the job link.

One example of a vacancy currently available with MAG:

• HR Shared Service Advisor

For this role MAG are searching for a qualified HR professional who can deliver HR advice to an assortment of managers across the airport. The salary available is competitive and the benefits are generous.

Manchester Airport Job Centre

Another great place to find details of job vacancies at Manchester Airport is by visiting the dedicated Job Centre, which only advertises vacancies at the airport. You can find this job centre at the following address:

Manchester Airport Job Centre
Ground Floor
Commonwealth Office
Chicago Ave
Manchester Airport
M90 3JB

The direct telephone number is 0161 253 2579.

Some of the most popular job vacancies are advertised within the job centre on behalf of the major employers who operate at the airport. Airlines commonly use the job centre to recruit new staff for both crew and ground operations.

Popular Job Vacancies at Manchester Airport

Cabin Crew Job Vacancies based at Manchester Airport

The number of vacancies for Cabin Crew based at Manchester Airport has increased in recent months, thanks largely to the popularity of budget flights from the airport and the arrival of new airlines such as easyjet.

Airlines typically look for candidates with 5 GCSE’s including Maths and English at grade C or above. A second language is always considered favourably.
Candidates for this role must have a good level of fitness, as the work is physically demanding. They must also be immaculately presented and have great personal and communication skills.

Training is provided by the airlines and you may need to undertake and pass a training course before you are accepted for the job.

Due to the seasonal nature of air travel out of Manchester Airport it is likely that you may be offered a seasonal contract. Airlines often issue new recruits with a seasonal contract to cover the peak summer months. For the best candidates this is extended to cover the winter months, but you should be aware that you might not be guaranteed 12 months work.

Thanks to the nature of airline travel you will be required to be flexible – this is certainly not a 9-5 job and you will be expected to work long shifts. However, job satisfaction is high and the salaries offered are competitive (but do vary by airline).

There are two ways of securing a Cabin Crew job and this will vary by airline. You should approach the Airport Job Centre for details of airlines recruiting new staff. Note however that some airlines may prefer to recruit directly, so will not use the job centre. In this instance you should look at the airlines website for further details on how to apply.

Airlines operating out of Manchester Airport include:

• British Airways
• American Airlines
• BMI
• Easyjet
• Ryanair
• Jet2
• Air France
• Emirates
• Singapore Airlines
• First Choice Airlines
• ThomsonFly
• Monarch

Flight Dispatcher Job Vacancies at Manchester Airport

The role of Flight Dispatcher is incredibly popular and when a vacancy becomes available it is likely that there will be high competition.

The aim of this role is to ensure each aircraft departs the airport safely and on time. The dispatcher’s role is varied and involves liaising with cabin crew, checking for lost luggage, working with the gate teams, arranging fuel for aircraft and dealing with unruly passengers.

If you are looking to apply for this position you should think about the hours you need to work. Vacancies exist for full and part time staff. Seasonal employment is also very common for this role, so cope with peaks and troughs of air travel demands.

Dispatchers work within Manchester Airport right around the clock, so you should expect to work shifts, sometimes through the day and sometimes through the night.
You will be provided with a uniform and full training will be provided.

Anyone working as a dispatcher at Manchester Airport will have a full security background check and must have a valid UK passport.

You can find details of Flight Dispatcher job vacancies at the Manchester Airport Job Centre.

Catering Jobs at Manchester Airport

There are numerous food outlets at Manchester Airport including some well-known names such as Harry Ramsdens Fish & Chips and Burger King. All the restaurants at the airport are managed by one organisation, Select Service Partner, otherwise known as SSP.

SSP employs a large number of staff at Manchester Airport in a variety of roles and on a variety of terms, from full time Chefs to temporary waiters and waitresses. In the peak summer months SSP commonly employs students and university graduates who will work full time on a seasonal, temporary basis.

Catering jobs at Manchester Airport are often physically demanding, with staff undertaking many duties throughout the day. As the airport operates 24/7 it is likely that you will be expected to work shifts, often with early starts or late finishes.

SSP rewards staff with competitive levels of pay, which are often higher than those paid in establishments that are non-airport based.

SSP use a number of methods to recruit new staff. Vacancies are advertised at the Airport Job Centre, but can also be found using online recruitment agencies such as www.totaljobs.com.

Retail Jobs at Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport currently works with over 50 leading retailers who deliver quality products and prices and a wide choice of duty free shopping. From selling perfume to electronics, all retail job vacancies are generally advertised in the Airport Job Centre and you may need to be flexible about the outlet you are asked to work in.

As with many of the other roles at the airport, retail assistants and managers need to be flexible. Shift patterns vary and can be demanding, so do not expect 9-5. This is a 24-hour community and you are always expected to greet your customer with a smile!

In addition to the Airport Job Centre you should look at online recruitment agencies that are used to find retail staff for Manchester Airport. www.reed.co.uk are a major online recruiter for airport retail vacancies.

With such an array of jobs on offer at Manchester Airport you should make sure you contact the Airport Job Centre, ideally in person so a face to face meeting can be arranged. Recruitment at the airport is a year round activity and there is a good chance you will find a job to suit your needs.

Leeds Bradford Airport has recently hit the headlines thanks to its impressive growth figures and positive development forecast. The airport has secured a major deal with Europe’s largest budget airline Ryanair that will see around 1000 sustainable new jobs created. There are also plans to increase the size of the main terminal building, meaning there will be increased levels of employment for those in the construction and maintenance industries. Leeds Bradford Airport car parking facilities both on and off the airport site will be developed to cope with the anticipated 1 million extra passengers and public transport links to the cities of Bradford, Leeds and York will be extended.

Such positive plans are great news for job hunters living in and around the Yorkshire area as over the coming months vacancies become available. Leeds Bradford Airport is an attractive employer for local candidates and those who are prepared to commute. It is well served by the local road and motorway network meaning commuters can travel in from Leeds, Bradford, York, Manchester, Harrogate, Huddersfield and other surrounding towns.

To run successfully Leeds Bradford Airport employs a significant number of employees in a variety of roles. Many of the positions filled within the airport are employed directly by the airport, whilst others are managed by private contractors.

Examples of job types typically available at Leeds Bradford Airport and managed by the Airport include:

• Air Traffic Control
• Airside Safety
• Commercial Activity
• Customer Service Assistants and Managers
• Engineering
• Facilities Management
• Finance
• HR
• IT
• Rescue and Fire Fighting
• Sales, Marketing and PR

To find details of jobs in any of the above areas you should contact the airport directly. You can find details of jobs vacancies at Leeds Bradford Airport by visiting the airport’s website. This website allows you to apply online and upload a copy of your CV, so is a quick and easy way of submitting your application.

Additionally, many professional job vacancies are recruited via Recruitment Agencies. If you contact the Leeds Bradford Airport HR department they will be able to advise you which recruitment agencies they use for your specific discipline (as the agency used to find air traffic control staff is likely to be different than that used to find Finance staff for example).

Fire and Rescue Services

Fire and Rescue Services are required by law at all UK airports and the Airport is responsible for recruiting and training all Fire and Rescue staff. Experienced Fire Fighters are preferred, but the airport will train all new recruits and offer suitable positions upon completion of the CAA training course. This is a physically demanding role and is not suitable to all people. Full details of Fire and Rescue job vacancies can be found on the Leeds Bradford Airport website.

Other jobs types at Leeds Bradford Airport which are managed by private organisations, rather than the airport itself include:

• Cabin Crew and Pilots
• Car Hire
• Catering
• Cleaning
• Currency Services
• Freight
• Handling Agents and Check-in Staff
• Passenger Assistance
• Retail
• Security
• Taxi Services

For each of these areas you need to familiarise yourself with the specific employers. Cabin crew applicants for example should be aware of the airlines operating out of Leeds Bradford Airport. Do your research so you are aware of where exactly you should send your application form.

Two of the major airlines operating from Leeds Bradford Airport are Ryanair and Jet2. As they employ pilots, cabin crew and ground staff you should consider going directly to their websites to find details of any job vacancies at Leeds Bradford Airport. With their recent expansion plans recently revealed, Ryanair may shortly be recruiting a high number of staff so be sure to check out their website on a daily basis.

Jet2 currently have details of 14 live job vacancies at Leeds Bradford Airport which are available for application via their website. These range from Financial Accounts Assistant to Flight Crew Manager and Senior Goods-In Inspector. Such a variety of roles mean it is possible you will find a job with an airline which is suitable for you.

Regardless of the vacancy you are searching for, if you work at an airport or with an airline you should expect a demanding shift pattern. An airport does not operate on a 9-5 basis, and many functions require staff on a 24-hour basis. With such staff coverage required you will find that Leeds Bradford Airport will have job vacancies available for full time, part time and seasonal staff. This means that many jobs are ideal for students or people with families who cannot work full time.

New to the Aviation Industry? Educate yourself and increase your chances of securing a job at Leeds Bradford Airport…

If you are looking to change career or are just starting out in your working life and want to work in the aviation industry you may find that typically all jobs vacancies require applicants to have experience. Many candidates find themselves in a “catch 22” situation, whereby they cannot secure a job to get the required experience as they themselves have no previous experience.

To overcome this, Leeds Bradford Airport runs an Academy for people who are determined to carve out a successful career within the aviation industry. This Academy offers specialist courses for candidates looking for experience in a variety of careers, including air cabin crew, passenger service agents, air traffic control staff pilots and more.

This established Academy works along side Craven College and forms part of The Travel and Tourism Studies course. If you are interested in finding out more then you can find more details on the following website:

www.theaviationacademy.co.uk

Argos is one of the most well recognised names on the UK high street. Famous for delivering an enormous product range through its in store catalogues, Argos deliver exceptional choice and value to the UK consumer. For those looking for a career in the retail industry, a vacancy with Argos may be the ideal stepping-stone into this industry.

Argos is part of the Home Retail Group, which reported an annual turnover of £6 billion for 2008. So much consumer demand means that Argos recruit staff on a continuous basis, to fill job vacancies in its stores, at head office and in the various warehouses located across the UK.

Home Retail Group is made up of two distinctive brand names, Argos and Homebase. Through these well-recognised outlets, Home Retail Group has secured its position as the UK’s leading retailer of jewellery, toys, small domestic appliances, furniture and sports and leisure equipment. As you might expect, such dominating market presence requires a large team of staff to the demands of the consumer, and as such there is likely to be a suitable position for all skills and backgrounds, right across the employment spectrum.

Argos Job Vacancies – In Store

The majority of staff recruited and employed by Argos work in store. In store vacancies with Argos are varied, from casual or temporary work as a Customer Service Assistant right up to Store Manager and everything in between. Argos currently operates more than 700 stores in the UK. This staggering number means there is an Argos store within 10 miles of 95% of the UK’s population. The sheer number of stores means there are often job vacancies with Argos for all types of roles within store.

Argos Customer Service Assistant Job Vacancies

Recruitment for this type of position is generally done at store level, with the Store Manager guiding the recruitment process. Argos job vacancies of this type are often advertised in store or in the local job centre or local press and generally offer a wide range of employment terms such as full time, part time and seasonal.

Customer Service Assistants are required for duties such as operating the tills, managing the stock from the warehouse into store for purchase, presentation of the store and customer advice. If you are starting your career within the retail industry and are recruited by Argos as a Customer Service Assistant then there is plenty of potential for you to climb the career ladder within the organisation. Argos encourages staff development and runs a wide assortment of management training schemes.

Argos Store Management Vacancies

If you are looking to secure a more senior position then again there are often plenty of opportunities with a company the size of Argos. Your choice will be widened further if you are prepared to travel or re-locate to an alternative area. Argos require their managers to be incredibly efficient, intelligent and capable of motivating teams of staff as the speed of sale is crucial in order to generate maximum turnover and deliver low cost items to the consumer. In return for their hard work and dedication, staff are given high levels of training and mentoring plus lots of encouragement and empowerment through increased levels of responsibility.

Argos employ Customer Service Managers in each of their stores (number depends on overall number of staff per store) and these people are described as “the face of the business”. These front line staff are responsible for leading a team and are expected to take ownership of the sales floor. In addition to providing quality customer service they also assist the Store and Deputy Store Managers meaning even at a junior level the successful recruit is given hands on management training and exposure.

If you would like to apply for an Argos Customer Service Manager vacancy then you should visit the Argos website or contact your preferred store directly.

If you are looking for a more senior retail management vacancy then you should perhaps consider the role of Store Manager or Assistant Store Manager. Argos has job vacancies for these demanding positions in a variety of UK locations. Argos has a policy of recruiting high calibre staff to fill these positions, and the successful candidate will be expected to run and manage their own store in the most profitable and ethical manner. You should regularly check the Argos website for details of any Management job vacancy and apply online. Alternatively you could send a speculative letter and current CV to the Argos head office, stating your preferred position and location.

Argos Job Vacancies – Head Office

Argos has one central base from which is supports its 700 UK stores. Head Office is located in Avebury, Milton Keynes and is the nerve centre of the operation. There are many departments within this location and this means that Argos regularly recruit new staff to work there.

As a guide, Argos’ head office is split into three main functions, being Commercial Trading / Supply, Retail Operations and Finance, although there are other smaller teams working on different aspects of the business.

A vacancy within the Commercial Trading / Supply department is likely to be for one of the following roles:

Buying
Merchandising
Merchandising Support
Supplier Management
Demand Forecasting and Decision Support

To fill these roles Argos recruit well qualified staff, who often have a proven track record in their particular field. Perhaps qualified to degree level the ideal candidate should be well presented, articulate, computer literate and self-motivated.

Within Retail Operations, Argos has job vacancies for people who are capable of working under pressure as they are required to deliver continuing support for all the retail stores. There are a number of positions ranging from junior to senior available within this function.

Within the finance department, Argos seeks candidates who are capable of helping the commercial teams make the right business decisions. Argos regularly recruits graduates with degrees in accountancy or other financial fields into these positions. Ongoing training is provided to the successful applicant as Argos recognises the importance of on-the-job learning and development.

Whatever field of employment you are searching for, an employer the size of Argos is likely to have a vacancy to suit your requirements. Candidates recruited by Argos, in any position, will be rewarded with a competitive level of pay plus benefits, training and mentoring, staff discounts and a childcare scheme. If you are looking for full time, part time or just casual employment then Argos could be the right employer for you.

Ikea hasn’t always been the retail giant that it is today. The company was founded in 1943 in a small Swedish village by a 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad. Since then, the company has grown to a staggering size, employing over 128,000 members of staff in 24 countries around the world. The company’s annual turnover now tops 21 billion Euros and looks set to increase as the company continues to extend into both new and existing markets.

With such impressive growth it is little wonder that many ambitious people look to work with Ikea and thanks to its sheer size the company is constantly recruiting staff to man its busy stores – each store employs around 500 people who are vital to its success. Ikea need to recruit this many staff because over 500 million people visit their stores each year!

If you are searching for a job vacancy with Ikea read on. This guide will detail some of the best ways of securing your dream job, whether it be working on the shop floor or designing some of the unique pieces of furniture you see in store.

Ikea In-Store Vacancies

For a busy store like Ikea to function successfully a team of dedicated staff are required. Staff, or co-workers as Ikea like to call them, are required in a variety of roles and in any of these roles the employee is expected to deliver first class levels of customer service.

Typically, vacancies within store are available for the following positions:

Ikea Customer Service Co-Worker
Available full time, part time and temporary

Co-workers are often given a small section of the store to work within. This means they become a specialist in their own product range and are responsible for that particular area. Co-workers are also responsible for operating checkouts and managing customer service areas.

Ikea Internal Communication Specialist
Available full time, part time and temporary

This role requires that the employee implement the Ikea action plan within their store to deliver commercial goals in line with the commercial calendar. This employee is also responsible for sourcing, editing and producing content for internal and external media press releases, so somebody with a PR / Marketing background would be ideal for this position

Ikea Food Chef Specialist
Available full time, part time and temporary

Each Ikea store has a restaurant designed to deliver quality food and low prices. To feed the hungry crowds, which pass through the restaurant, each day, Ikea often has vacancies for catering staff. All levels of applicants are sought and very often, junior members are offered training by their peers to help develop their career.

Ikea Store Manager
Available on a full time, permanent basis

Ikea always needs well-qualified, dedicated and ambitious store managers to guide each store and achieve and exceed sales targets. Candidates who have a proven track record in retail store or section management generally fill vacancies for Ikea store management positions. The candidate must also be able to demonstrate leadership and man management skills and have an understanding of Ikea’s product and how it meets the customer’s needs. Ikea rewards all store managers with excellent levels of pay and benefits.

How do I apply for a store level vacancy with Ikea?

Ikea has a comprehensive online application process, which you should use to search for vacancies and to submit your application. Go to the Ikea website and click on the jobs section. You can filter the results by store and enter keywords relevant to the job you are searching for. The website is www.ikea.co.uk.

At a junior level, vacancies are also advertised in store, so visit your local store and keep checking the customer notice boards. If you see a vacancy and would like to apply, contact the customer services manager or HR manager and request an application pack.

More senior positions are recruited via the online application process, and many of these positions are filled internally, by staff gaining internal promotions. As Ikea is an employer who is passionate about staff development and training you should never be discouraged from starting at a junior level and working your way up.

Ikea Product Development Job Vacancies in Sweden

Ikea offers a distinctive product range, from quirky to functional to cute. What adds to the popularity is quite often the price, which is generally affordable.

If you are designer looking for a new job in Product Design it is likely that Ikea would be your dream job.

Location

It is vitally important that you note that all Ikea Product Development and Design vacancies are based in Sweden. Ikea designs everything from one central base, regardless off the target market. If you are prepared to re-locate to Sweden then the jobs are available as follows:

Product Developer
Product Technician
Product Editor
Product Support

Benefits and Rewards

If you are looking to apply for a vacancy with Ikea it is worth noting the benefits open to you if you are successful.

At all levels, Ikea rewards its staff well financially. Holidays are generous and you will receive other benefits such as:

Co-worker discount
End of year gift
Long Service Award
Pension
First day of school leave
Staff restaurant
Sick pay
Uniform