CPD How to get started

CPD How to get started by Amber Rolfe Need to get started with CPD? We’ve got you covered… Not only is continuing professional development (CPD) a requirement of the majority of professional bodies, it’s also a great way to build confidence, boost your credibility, or even secure a promotion. In fact, you might find that even if you’ve worked in a role for a while, CPD is needed to keep your knowledge up-to-date.We spoke to Watson Martin Partnership, a leading provider of professional qualifications, to find out their top tips on how to get started with CPD:Assess your knowledgeFirst things first, you need to make an honest assessment of your knowledge and skills.Then, see how they match up with the requirements of your current role, and the role you’re aspiring to work in. Your organisation or professional body may provide a competency framework that you can assess your skills against, but you can also find examples online.If you’re unsure of where your skills lie, asking your colleagu es’ opinions is also a great way to gain another perspective and/or uncover any blind spots.Personal development planning: What you need to knowFocus on areas for developmentOnce you’ve assessed your abilities, it’s time to figure out what the next steps are.You can do this by answering the following questions:What do I want to achieve?What do I need to learn to achieve this goal?How will I learn it?Using your answers, you’ll be able to put together a well-informed plan of action that’s accurately aligned with your career goals.Personal development plan template  Make a plan OK, so you know where you want to go, but how do you get there?By making a plan â€" with clear, actionable steps (both long and short term) that will help you achieve your goals and develop your skills. These could be anything from taking a training course or getting mentor support, to reading, networking, or listening to webinars.The list is (almost) endless.It’s also a good idea to recognise any po tential obstacles you might face, outlining how you plan to overcome them.How to: Make a career plan  Monitor your progress Whilst assessing and writing all of the above down is an essential part of carrying out CPD â€" that’s not all you need to do.In order for CPD to be effective, you need excellent time management alongside high levels of motivation and commitment. Without these things, your plan of action becomes meaningless â€" and let’s face it â€" probably something you’ll brush off and forget about.So to ensure you remain dedicated to developing your skills, monitor your progress frequently â€" ticking off completed tasks, adding new ones, and coming up with solutions for any barriers you might face.  Reflect Reflecting on your self-development is absolutely vital to ensuring your CPD is successful.As CPD is more about the quality of your learning than the ticking of boxes, you might find that tracking your progress formulaically helps to keep you on track â€" but does n’t provide an accurate representation of your achievements.So in addition, it’s important to reflect on:What you’ve learntWhat methods you used to learn itThe benefits it has on you, your clients, or your organisationHow you can practically apply your learningsWhether there’s room for more developmentWhether your CPD is in preparation for a new role, to land a promotion, or to become more competent in your current job â€" understanding how your development will help you carry it out more effectively is a great way to ensure you’re utilising your skills.Why study with Watson Martin Partnership?Watson Martin Partnership is a leading provider of professional qualifications and in-company training programmes.Not only do they offer 24/7 support via Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with access to podcasts, webinars, videos and learning materials, they also have higher than average pass rates on their professional exams.Other benefits of studying with  Watson Martin Partnershi p  include:Personal one-to-one adviser support for all qualification programmesExpert advisers with a depth of knowledge and wide ranging industry experience to help you achieve your career goalsFlexible start dates, durations and locationsA range of payment options with interest free monthly payment  plans for self-fundersOnline, classroom and distance learning optionsWant to learn more about how a qualification could help your career?  Enquire now.  Watson Martin Partnership is a leading provider of professional qualifications and in-company training programmes, providing courses in HR, LD, Management, Project Management, and more. Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the

Writing a Communications Resume - What To Include On Your Resume

Writing a Communications Resume - What To Include On Your ResumeWriting communications resume can be a difficult task. Many times it is the job of the recruiter to do this for you. However, there are many other ways that you can make your own and tailor it to your specific needs. One of the main reasons that it is so important to have a communications resume is that it shows that you have done your homework on this field.Communications tend to be a growing field and there is no shortage of jobs to be had. Therefore, it is imperative that you get your foot in the door of an employment opportunity before others do. The best way to do this is to create a very professionally looking communications resume.In order to do this successfully, it will take some research and some writing. Although most schools use the same fonts, this is not always the case. It is very easy to get carried away with the font options and do not have a firm grasp on what is acceptable and what is not. You can easi ly become bogged down in the details and miss out on the main point that is the purpose of your communications resume.The purpose of the communications resume is to showcase your abilities and to give potential employers an idea of the type of person that they will be hiring. Since communication is used all the time, you want to make sure that it is understandable and something that anyone who reads it can relate to. There are many different types of communication that you can use. Therefore, you want to make sure that the resume is also very specific in its usage.The number one excellent example of a good resume is Bill Clinton's. It shows that one of the first to write his own was Bill Clinton. The quality of this resume is outstanding. This is because you can learn many things from the examples that are on the internet. For example, you can glean information about writing a communications resume from this example.In addition, you will see that this demonstrates that the overall l etter is very professionally done. You will also notice that the author of the letter has researched everything thoroughly. This can be quite an accomplishment if you want to succeed in this field. In fact, with just a little bit of time and effort, it is possible to use these examples as a resource.Other than that, you will be able to see that there are many tips that can be applied to your communications resumes. You should look for additional examples and learn as much as you can about this particular field. It is a fast paced industry and you want to be at the top of your game.There are many people that are skilled in this field, but there are some that are not. Therefore, you want to be at the top of your game. If you learn as much as you can about communications, you will be well on your way to making a good career for yourself.

Power Hairdressing Five Breeds Of Workplace Power-Do

Power Hairdressing Five Breeds Of Workplace Power-Do We live in a society obsessed with hair. Marie Antoinette knew it. So did Jackie Kennedy. Whether shaving it or growing it, waxing it or plucking it, threading it or losing it or dyeing it or bleaching it, hair has become, over the years, a symbol of both degradation and empowerment â€" particularly for women. It is a political statement if we don’t shave our armpits and a finger to the man if we do our heads. But never, ever, is hair simply that: hair. No woman knows this better than the bona fide career girl. We see them in our magazines and our offices: the power player with the perfect bob, the star seller with her thick ‘n’ glossy mane. But what are the ‘dos that really say “can do”? If hair is a statement, then these five barnets are crying out for your respect. The Power Pob   It was Victoria Beckham â€" aka Posh Spice â€" who first popularised the ‘posh bob’. These days, however, there’s only one thing that ‘p’ stands for: political. The ‘do of choice among the ladies of the world stage, the pob can be seen on every major player from Theresa May to Hilary Clinton. A short bob ranging from the buttered and wispy (Clinton) to the forthright and androgynous (Nicola Sturgeon), nothing says “I’m capable” like an exposed ear and a barely there blow-dry. The pob is for women who prize capability above glamour and want everyone to know it. Even Anna Wintour’s mirror-like helmet is more fearsome than fashion. Icons: Angela Merkel, Theresa May, Hilary Clinton.    The Ladylike Lob The more forgiving cousin of the pob, the ‘lob’ â€" or ‘long bob’ â€" is the favoured barnet of the world’s leading businesswomen. Lobs usually take the form of beautifully kempt curtains that fall between the chin and shoulders. A lob is softer than a pob and more traditional too. Its relative feminity enables powerful women to assert themselves in the workplace with minimum challenge to gender norms, sparing the self-esteem of any fragile men who operate around them. It’s also a classic mum-cut. Don’t worry guys; your egos are safe with these ladies. Icons: Sheryl Sandberg, Marissa Mayer, Arianna Huffington.  The Action Afro Google image the words ‘unprofessional hair’. Go on, try it. What do you see? Not rainbow-coloured curls. Not lank white locks. Nothing at all â€" except female Afro-American hairstyles. Whether it’s braids, dreadlocks or just plain natural curls, black hair has long been unfavourably compared to its white, Asian or Hispanic counterparts. As a result of society’s frankly racist preferences, many black women feel the need to straighten or chemically relax their hair in order to appear ‘professional’. Well, what if you don’t? Yes, we know Michele Obama processes hers. But Ursula Burns, CEO of Xerox and one of the most powerful women in America, wears her natural hair proudly â€" as do countless other black leaders including Paula Madison and Valerie Amos. Want to take control at work? Put down the straighteners and bring out the ‘fro. Icons: Ursula Burns, Valerie Amos, Esi Eggleston Bracey. The Short Short If the lob is the man-friendly power cut of the office, the short short is its opposite: a polarising ‘do reviled by bigots as much as it is admired by gender progressives. How many times have we seen internet trolls question a female celebrity’s commitment to the chop? When actress and supermodel Cara Delevingne recently opted for a buzz cut, she called out critics on Instagram. “I’m tired of society defining beauty for us,” she wrote. “Strip away the clothes. Wipe off the makeup, cut off the hair.” Short hair is a political statement. It is a declaration of ownership of one’s body and an assertion that you rise above traditional, male-gaze-driven beauty standards. It is, in many ways, the most powerful cut of the lot. Icons: Sinead O’Connor, Cara Delevingne, Ellen DeGeneres. The Badass Blow-Dry For those who just can’t part with their long, luscious locks, one option remains: the power blow-dry. Poker-straight for high-maintenance vibes, or with a slight wave for a less severe effect, long hair only works as a power ‘do if it is styled to within an inch of its life. Why? Because anything less looks â€" shock horror! â€" like you haven’t even thought about it. Not for you the easy kinks of Kate Moss or Cara. It’s thick and hyper-controlled or nothing. Your hair is your status symbol. If you put half as much effort into your work as you do into your mane, you are a force to be reckoned with. Icons: Amal Clooney, Kate Middleton, all the Trump women. This guest post was authored by Inspiring Interns  Inspiring Interns is a graduate recruitment  agency  which specialises in sourcing candidates for  internships  and giving out  graduate careers advice. To  hire graduates  or browse  graduate jobs, visit their website. Image credits: Kate.     Sheryl.     Hillary.    Main Image.  

Want a career in law and politics

Want a career in law and politics A legal career in private practice is just one of a plethora of options available to you. What if you want to be a  lawyer and you’re most interested in constitutional and administrative law and politics? How about the Government Legal Service (GLS)? I talked to Hannah Gray, a trainee solicitor in the Government Legal Department (the largest department within GLS), about her job and how she went about getting it. What made you chose the GLS? “I knew I wanted to work at the point where politics and law meet and for me that was the GLS.” How does the selection process work? “The selection process is very clear cut and comprises three online test stages and an assessment centre. I liked the fact that you are told in advance exactly when you’ll find out whether youve got through each stage in the process. I found the situational judgment test, (one of the three tests which form the application stage of the process), the most difficult. You can’t prepare for it. Its more about assessing your judgment in dealing with the types of situations you may encounter as a legal trainee in the GLS. The questions address issues like, when should you use your initiative, and when should you flag issues to your supervisors, and how do you handle difficult situations in the workplace. I think the most enjoyable part of the process is the written exercise at the assessment centre. It’s important to write very clear English and to be certain that youre answering the question! Keep checking back to make sure  . Its worth pointing out that you dont have to have legal knowledge to get through the recruitment process, about 60% of recruits this year did not come from a legal background. You should also know that you can join the GLS and take a pupillage route so that you become a barrister rather than a solicitor. Your second seat would be spent in barristers chambers.” What’s special about the GLS? “Without doubt the level of responsibility you get as a trainee. I thought I’d be working very closely with a supervisor and that I might be going to meetings and doing some discrete tasks. I definitely wasn’t expecting to be handed my own files on day one! It’s scary but I feel very supported. There’s always someone to ask for help and to discuss things with. I even found that right from the beginning solicitors and barristers were interested in my opinion.” How about the work-life balance? “It’s good. There’s never a feeling that you need to be seen to be in the office! I generally work from 9.00am to 5.30pm or 6.00pm. Others work for a similar length of time but choose to start earlier or later. That’s fine. People who need to work particular hours because of care responsibilities always seem to be accommodated.” How about the social life? “That’s really good too. There were 17 trainees in my intake and we’re all friends. There was a real effort to help us get to know one another before we started, both formal and informal events were organised. Now we’re spread out across Whitehall departments, but we still get together regularly. We get on well with trainees above and below us too. If you’re not sure about something and don’t want to bother a supervisor you can always ask peers. Generally you’ll get an answer. You can always find someone to have a chat with over lunch if you’re having a bit of a tough day  . It’s a really supportive environment.” So what have you actually been doing? “All trainees in the Government Legal Department (GLD) spend one year in litigation. My first 6 month seat was in the MoD Private Law Team, which is part of GLD. This was really interesting. It was private law in a public sector context. I handled a lot of damages claims. You’re always aware that if you pay out you’re using taxpayers’ money. Sometimes cases have to be progressed as a matter of principle, even if in the individual circumstances it would be cheaper to settle. It’s a different kind of pragmatism from that in private practice. My second seat was in one of GLD’s immigration teams. I had a very heavy caseload, it’s fast paced and the law is changing rapidly, so you have to work hard to make sure you’re on top of whats happening. It was exciting, I thought I might find it upsetting but I found that even when individual stories were sad, I could keep a professional outlook and get on with the job of representing my client. I’m currently in my third seat, in the Health and Safety Executive Legal Advisers team. The change from litigation to advisory work is a significant one â€" the pace and style of work is completely different. It’s good being able to get into the fine detail of the law when answering clients’ queries, which vary across a huge range of legal matters.” And the future? “I see myself having a long term future in GLS. Nothing has changed since I decided I wanted to do this sort of work. I have not been disappointed â€" if anything it has exceeded my expectations â€" and the career progression is good. Once you’re qualified you’re advised to change roles every three to four years and to carefully consider your career path. Managers make sure that you’re getting the right experience to progress, both as a trainee and once you’re qualified.” If you’re at Warwick, GLS are coming in to visit us this term. Come along and find out what a career with them has to offer and if youre interested in finding out more about legal careers look at the Warwick Law Careers blog.

How to Choose Your Resume Samples

How to Choose Your Resume SamplesIf you're thinking about writing your own resume, then probably you want to find out more about resume samples that you can choose from. The good news is that there are lots of options available so it will be very simple for you to select the one that is best suited for your requirements.Have you ever encountered the person who insists on a resume with lots of inclusions? While it may look very impressive, you may not be able to make a good decision based on this type of resume. In order to avoid this from happening, you need to determine the purpose of the resume and find the samples that focus on that.There are many different types of resume examples. You can have a look at them online or you can buy them. If you're planning to print one out, make sure that you get the best quality that you can. There are some sample resumes that can actually damage your chances of getting a job if you use them incorrectly.Before choosing any particular resume examp le, make sure that you carefully read through it. Check the spelling and grammar as well as all of the details that should be included in the cover letter and resume itself. Make sure that you understand each of these documents before you make any decisions.The next thing that you should do is to decide which type of sample you want to use. One option is to simply use the samples that are already available online. This can work really well for you if you are just starting out and are still learning how to write resumes. You can also go to different websites that offer different types of samples and use them as a guide on what type of resume you should be using.If you feel like the websites do not offer you the kind of samples that you are looking for, then you should make use of software that does the job for you. Most of these programs are quite expensive, but they are worth every penny. You will find that there are many great options out there. The only downside to using software is that sometimes you may find it difficult to make a decision when trying to use them.Another option that you have is to start writing your own sample resume. You should first do your research into the top companies that are recruiting in your area. You can then find samples for each company and begin using them as a guide on what kind of resume you should be using.The most common error that people make is to make use of sample resumes from the internet. This can be a real problem as there are a lot of people using them without even knowing it. It's better to use samples that have been created by professionals in the field in order to ensure that your resume is done properly.

Writing Use For Resume - 5 Ways To Write A Resume

Writing Use For Resume - 5 Ways To Write A ResumeWhere do you find out which writing use for resume? For those who are in the search of such writing use for resume, it is very easy to find some but the majority of them are not given on the sites. You will also get into troubles if you go directly to the site and submit your resume because the rules and regulations of most of the sites are not compatible with the format that you would like to use. Therefore, before you write a resume, you need to go through the available information about these writing use for resume.First, take out all the important information regarding the work that you have done. If you have not done any jobs then put down some of the projects that you have been involved in. This information can be found on the records section of the organization where you have been working.Second, list down your current skills. You can do this by saying something like; I am a computer programmer and the work that I have done so f ar is no less than the programming code that you are currently doing. The best place to write this part of the resume is in the summary section.Third, your highlight should be your interests and hobbies. You can write in the last section which writing use for resume is for you as well as how you can be considered in the vacancies in the organization that you have been working in.Fourth, you should mention down the areas that you are considering going into and related to the organization that you have worked in. This writing use for resume could be either online or offline jobs. You could possibly be assigned to write a press release for a newspaper to send a new article or it could be to do freelance writing on projects for an online company.Fifth, the writing use for resume should include the current location as well as the address of the organization. You should also make mention about the telephone number of the organization and the e-mail address for you to contact them. This in formation is needed because most of the employers do not want to be contacted by their applicants because they are constantly searching for people who are interested in applying.Sixth, you should mention your previous education and training, particularly in the area that you are presently working in. By mentioning your prior education and training, the person reviewing your resume will know that you have some knowledge about the job you are applying for.Lastly, your resume is going to be reviewed only by the people who are interested in hiring you. So, it is very important to avoid repeating the mistakes that others do on their resumes. Remember, there are many ways to write a resume and there are many writing use for resume.

5 Hot Jobs for 2017 and Beyond - CareerAlley

5 Hot Jobs for 2017 and Beyond - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. If you are thinking about changing your major in college or you are about to enter college, then you will want to consider the hot jobs and careers for 2017 and beyond. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a great resource to review career and job title rankings based on their historical analysis and leveraged to create estimated percentage increases (or decreases) in future job growth. Knowing which jobs are likely to be available in the job market and how much they when you graduate will help you make the best decisions in terms of college majors. Following are five careers that are projected to have a high growthpercentage through 2022 (per the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Industrial-Organizational Psychologists: This career tops the list with a projected growth rate of 53% and a current median salary of over $92,000 per year. What They Do Industrial-organizational psychologists apply psychology principles to human resources issues in the work place. Their job may include development and training, policy planning and organization analysis and development. Education and Training Requirements A Masters degree is generally required in most jurisdictions and a Doctoral degree is generally recommended. Job search links== Industrial-Organizational Psychologists jobs Industrial and Organizational PsychologyIndustrial and Organizational Psychology Personal Care Aides: Next on the list with a 49% Growth Rate and a median salary of $20,000 per year. What They Do Personal care aides help clients with self-care and everyday tasks, and provide companionship. Education and Training Requirements A high school education. Job search links == Personal Care Aides jobs HOME HEALTH AIDE TRAININGHANDBOOK: A Practical Guide for Training Home Health Aides and Certified Nurse Assistants Home Health Aides: With a projected 48% Growth Rate and a median salary of $20,820 per year, this job is worth considering. What They Do A home health aide assist patients in the activities of daily living and provide basic routine care (such as assistance in bathing and brushing teeth). Education and Training Requirements Entry level, this job only requires a high school education. Job search links == Home Health Care Aide jobs How to be a Nurses Aide in a Nursing Home: Resident Care Procedures Insulation workers: This career has a median salary of $39,170 per year and is project to grow at 47% through 2022. What They Do Insulation workers measure, cut, and install insulating materials, such as fiberglass and foam, in houses and other structures. Education and Training Requirements Entry level, this job only requires a high school education but may require an apprenticeship. Skills are generally learned on the job and being able to read blueprints is a plus. Job search links == Insulation workers jobs Other Resources InsulationWorker Handbook International Association of Heat Frost Insulators Allied Workers Interpreters and Translators: This career has a median salary of $45,000 per year and is project to grow at 46% through 2022. What They Do Interpreters and translators help people with different languages communicate by converting text from one language into another language. Although some people do both, interpreting and translating are different professions: interpreters work with spoken communication, and translators work with written communication. Education and Training Requirements Interpreters and translators typically need at least a bachelors degree, however, the most important requirement is to have native-level fluency in two or more languages. Job search links == Interpreters and Translators+jobs Book Corner [easyazon_link asin=B0059XRFLK locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=yes]How to Become a Translator Breaking into the freelance translation business[/easyazon_link] More Hot Careers See ==CareerAlley Job Search We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+

Managing a Career Through a Health Crisis (via The Career Clinic!)

Managing a Career Through a Health Crisis (via The Career Clinic!) Last May, I appeared on The Career Clinic with Maureen Anderson, a national live radio show thats also distributed as a podcast. When Maureen heard about all the boobs*** Ive been going to, she sweetly and gingerly asked me if Id want to talk about it back on her show. Of course, me being the open book that I am, I responded emphatically with a great big, Of course! Click here to listen to my 39 minutes on managing a health crisis, and feel free to download it to listen on-the-go. I really open up here as to: why I decided to tell The World about my boob cancer (and how my ukulele ditty came to be) how Im remaining in control (work-wise and personally) what I do to keep my spirits up as best as I can my prescription for getting better (medically and otherwise) what happens when you make yourself vulnerable how my 2012 plans have really changed (and the disappointment that has come with it) why I still consider myself a very lucky lady despite all the cancer stuff and more, if ya can believe it As you can tell, its a long and juicy one, but I hope youll listen. -