Graduate jobs need not be excessively stressful to find if you know how to get started

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July 24th, 2011

Perhaps the two most well known and most effective ways of finding graduate jobs are to get a place on a graduate scheme, or to get an internship at a company you are interested in.  These are both very sensible ways of making the first step on your chosen career path, and which one you opt for will probably depend on the sector you are looking in.  Those seeking work in marketing, banking or accountancy are likely to follow a different route, for example, than graduates who are interested in publishing, the media or charity work.

There are certainly some jobs in which a graduate scheme will give you the best possible start to your career.  One of the main advantages of this kind of scheme is that you tend to be given experience in different areas of the business, so you will not only make contacts across the business, but you are likely to get a good sense of what area interests you most and is most appropriate to your skills.  In addition, as these schemes are fairly competitive to get onto, the graduates who do succeed in their applications tend to be invested in and treated with the respect that is worthy of their endeavours.  This means that they are often given challenging and interesting work from the outset, and start off with a significant amount of responsibility and often a decent salary.

This can be in contrast to the ‘intern’, who is often at risk of becoming the go-to person for making tea, photocopying, and filing jobs.  Unpaid internships involving fairly menial tasks can be an unappealing prospect, but realistically they are unavoidable if you are interested in working in certain sectors.  It is almost impossible to find paid employment in journalism, broadcasting, charity work or publishing, for example, unless you have done your time as an intern.  It should not be viewed as a necessary evil, though.  As an intern, you have the opportunity to find out about how the company works and what it is really like working there, while making the contacts you need if you do want a job there.  The important thing to remember if you are an intern is that it should be viewed as an extended interview.  You have a few weeks in which to impress a prospective employer with not only your skills and enthusiasm, but also with your personality, as fitting into a workplace can be just as important in securing a position as showing that you can do the job.

If you are looking for graduate jobs, then, it is vital to be aware of the best path to your ideal job.  Whether it is a graduate scheme or an internship that looks likely to fulfil your a career aspirations, it is sensible to start applying for them as soon as possible, as the first step to making sure you stand out from the crowd.

Please visit http://www.careerplayer.com/ for further information about this topic.

http://www.careerplayer.com/

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University

Social services jobs -€“ knowing how to deal with the emotional demands

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July 12th, 2011

Recently, social work jobs have become rather less popular as a career option for school leavers, as a few high profile cases have drawn attention to the negative side of social services jobs.  In particular, in the case of the tragic death of the infant known as Baby P, the social work team was landed by national newspapers with a significant amount of the blame for the events that lead to the child’s death.  However, the recent decision of the Sun newspaper to apologise unreservedly and pay undisclosed compensation to the social worker involved in the case may give some hope to those who are worried about the impact of the press’s representation of the case on anybody thinking about social worker jobs.

Sylvia Henry, who was a social worker in Haringey, London for 23 years, was accused in articles published in the Sun of having been ‘grossly negligent’ in her handling of the Baby P case, and it was argued that  she was ‘thereby to blame for his appalling abuse and death’.  The newspaper had also alleged that Henry had shown no remorse for her errors, and had ducked responsibility for the child’s death.  The litigation disputed a number of articles published in the newspaper over four months from November 2008, which also stated that Henry was lazy and had often shown disregard for the safety of children.  As anybody who is employed within social services jobs tends to be motivated by a strong concern for the welfare of the children under their care, these allegations were surely highly upsetting for Sylvia Henry.

The Sun also ran a ‘Justice for Baby P’ campaign, which named Henry and called for certain Harringey social services staff to be made redundant and banned from any future work with children.  The newspaper gathered 1.6 million signatures for its petition, which was taken to Downing Street.  After court proceedings between Henry and the newspaper, a spokesperson said that the Sun ‘unreservedly accepts that there is no justification for any of the allegations’, adding that she was not to blame in any way for anything done by the local services that may have contributed to baby Peter’s awful abuse and death. Moreover, they accepted that she had done her very best for Peter, even making efforts to have him placed in foster care.

Many people with an interest in social work jobs have seen this decision as a positive move in terms of the tendency of the media to conduct witch-hunts against those in social services jobs in high profile cases such as this.  When a tragedy occurs, there is surely enough misery and heartbreak already, without having to drag those in social worker jobs through a professional and personal trial by the media.

Please visit http://www.socialworkandcarejobs.com/ for further information about this topic.

http://www.socialworkandcarejobs.com/

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Community, Jobs

Social services jobs – how to find the one for you

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July 10th, 2011

Social work jobs might sound interesting, but it is worth considering whether you really are aware of what working in this field really entails, and the different kinds of opportunities that are available.  There are a a variety of specialisms within social services jobs, but the two most important are residential social work and field social work.  The former refers to the care and supervision of a group of people (they might be children, elderly people, the mentally or physically handicapped, or people suffering from alcohol or drug addiction) in a residential home or school.  Those who work within field social work handle the issues of individuals or groups.  This might involve child care, mental welfare, finding foster homes, or advising those adopting children. Basically, these types of social services jobs are about trying to restore acceptable or improved social conditions for an individual family or community.

Social worker jobs are not right for everyone, and there are certain skills that are required of anybody who is interested in working in this field.  You will need a desire to help the disadvantaged, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, the ability to get on with people from many different walks of life, and a willingness to work outside the normal 9-5 day.  It is crucial to be able to show concern for others’ feelings without becoming emotionally over-involved, otherwise the job will become much more stressful than it should be.

Entry requirements are fairly specific; you will need a degree in social work to become a social worker.  If you are currently studying for a degree in a different field and you are interested in this kind of career, you will need to take another undergraduate degree, which usually takes three years.  However, there are some accelerated two-year programmes for those who have studied relevant subjects such as sociology, social policy, psychology and law.  In some cases, graduates can get government funding if they want to retrain as social workers. The ‘step-up to social work’ programme was started to attract high-flyers into the area.  Young people with a 2:1 degree and experience working with children or families are paid to study for a Masters degree. The Children’s Workforce and Development Council provide £15,000 for each candidate, and there are up to 200 places on the programme.

There are, therefore, many different routes into social work jobs.  Whether you are studying for a degree in social work or have a vague notion that this kind of role might be right for you, there should be a way into social services jobs that suits you.  If your skills and interest meet those that are required of social worker jobs, then it promises to be an extremely fulfilling and enjoyable career.

Please visit http://www.sanctuarypersonnel.com/ for further information about this topic.

http://www.sanctuarypersonnel.com/

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Jobs

Instant loan approval is a backup solution to money problems

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July 9th, 2011

‘Short term loan’ is a term that usually comes with a loaded image. At best, it’s an extortionately dear and rather dodgy loan that’s not worth the trouble; at worst, it’s the loan shark and his mates on your door step. But there are companies that can offer you a cash advance quite legally. The sums are typically subject to higher interest rates than you’d get from a bank – around 30 percent for the month – which is substantial. Nevertheless, in some cases instant loan approval can play its part in your finances. The trick is to think very carefully and determine whether this is one of those occasions.

It should go without saying that if you can avoid taking out a loan – any loan – then you should. It’s always more economical to pay for something up front than to do so on credit. Even the better forms of debt, like a mortgage, are expensive if you look at them in the long run. If you buy something on a credit card and pay back at the minimum rate (usually 2 percent per month or £5, whichever is more) you can end up paying three times as much as if you’d forked out cash.

Of course, there are times when it’s unavoidable to take out a loan, the mortgage being one obvious example. And there are times when unexpected expenses force you into debt. If you’ve run out of overdraft, maxed out your credit cards and can’t get a loan from a bank, then the short term loan might be your only hope – assuming you can’t get the money from friends or family. In these instances, a cash advance might be preferable to the other consequences of not finding the money. Without instant loan approval, what would happen? If it’s a month of having to cut costs here and there, it’s probably not worth it. But if it means you would rack up other costs and charges, or be unable to pay your rent, then it could be an answer. Just make sure that you use the breathing space it gives you to set your affairs in order, so that this is not a recurring problem. The idea is to use it as a last solution, not a regular answer that you end up going back to over and over.

Please visit http://www.cashgenieloans.co.uk/ for further information about this topic.

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Loans

Could a phono preamp be just what you need?

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June 15th, 2011

You may have heard of the phono stage, or phono preamp as it is sometimes called, and wondered why it would be necessary. Presumably, you might think, a built-in amp would be better?  However, when looking for the clearest sound quality, a combination product can be a false friend, and often contains the bare minimum of everything they offer.  Basically, sharing a single power supply between the electrically noisy turntable motor and the extremely sensitive preamp stage is often not the best solution.  In fact, the phono amp is often the best way to achieve a really high quality sound.

The output from a magnetic cartridge installed in a good quality turntable is significantly lower than that provided by a CD or a tape, and hence needs an additional stage of amplification.  The recording process used to create records also adds equalization which must be removed during playback to restore proper tonal balance.  Most older receivers and amps used to be fitted with an additional gain and re-equalizer stage, allowing direct connection of a turntable.  In order to check whether your equipment has this is easy; you just need to look for PHONO on your source selector switch, and jacks labelled PHONO on the other side.  Newer stereo equipment made after 1990 tends not to have phono input.  This is the case with most mini-systems and home theatre units as well as many stereo receivers and amps.  Managers seeking to lower production costs started to leave out the phono input because records and turntables are often seen as useless in today’s world of CD and DVD technology.
Quite a few preamped tables provide little or no shielding for the preamp section, feature tone arms with pin-type pivots and have plastic platters. This kind of machine is being sold as component stereo equipment despite the fact that it is actually quite outdated.

It is also possible to buy USB turntables, which are often sold on television shopping channels and in shopping centres. The USB converter in the table connects directly to your computer, bypassing your sound card and line output.  However, the ADC in your sound card or laptop is generally better.  This can leave you with MP3 files and CD-Rs that are too loud or too soft when compared with shop bought CDs and other music sources.  Moreover, some USB turntables have ceramic cartridges, and so risk ruining the record.

The phono stage is, therefore, the best way of ensuring you meet your audio needs.  There is no need to compromise on sound or the health of your equipment when using a phono preamp.  It is relatively easy to buy the phono amp on the internet for a reasonable price, so there is no excuse for not setting up the best possible system for your music.

Please visit http://www.whestaudio.co.uk/ for further information about this topic.

http://www.whestaudio.co.uk/

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Audio Visual

London kickboxing classes provide a whole-body workout

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June 7th, 2011

If you’ve ever considered trying kickboxing, London is a great place to look. If you haven’t, then you might find it an interesting surprise. In London, kickboxing classes come in all different types, and you’ll certainly find something that meets your requirements. Kickboxing is great for many different aspects of fitness, and depending on the London kickboxing club you opt for you will find yourself majoring in one or more of these. For example, most people’s first impression of kickboxing is that it is all about sparring (a technical term for fighting to set rules). Whilst sparring can be an important part of kickboxing, it is by no means the only one. For a start, you will need to become proficient in the basic moves before you even think about sparring – punches, kicks, blocks and avoiding. That will involve a lot of work in itself; stepping into the ring isn’t something that’s really encouraged in the first session (which, incidentally, is usually free).

Kickboxing mixes different types of fitness work, so it is great all-round exercise. So, whilst there is a lot of aerobic movement, there are also explosive anaerobic techniques. You will need to work on your flexibility, and strength training can also be a focus. All of this means that you will get more out of kickboxing than out of a single-focus exercise like cycling; cross-training is built into it. In addition, you will also gain confidence. A lot of clubs specifically teach self-defence techniques along with the more traditional techniques of the sport – something that many people find helpful, since a lot of people take up a martial art so that they can take care of themselves better should the circumstances arise.

If you’re not sure, go along to one of the taster sessions; whatever London kickboxing club you choose, it will probably offer a couple of free lessons before you sign up properly. Wear loose clothing and take a drink. You will probably get a good impression of what London kickboxing classes involve from the first session or two. At that point, you can try another club or settle with that one if you’re happy with it. The main thing to remember, though, is to have fun. If you’re interested in trying kickboxing London is a great place to look around, and there will be plenty of people in the same position as you. You will likely make some good friends in the club you choose, as well as learn to do things you never thought possible.

Please visit http://www.karmaa.co.uk/ for further information about this topic.

http://www.karmaa.co.uk/

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Health, Martial Arts

Care home manager jobs in high end homes

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April 17th, 2011

For those who have been working in care home manager jobs for some time and are considering developing their careers, moving to a luxury care home might be one option. But for those who are used to nursing home manager jobs in regular homes, these ‘high end’ nursing homes can be something of a mystery.  This article outlines the philosophy and operations at a typical high end nursing home, with a view to exploring how home manager jobs at such places might differ from more typical ones.

It is often the case that luxury nursing homes are purpose-built to enable residents to be as independent as possible.  In some cases, this means that instead of being one building or a block of flats, the home takes the form of a village, which give the feel of community and safety, without residents feeling that they have been moved into an institution.  In this sense, some people who do not need extra care may see moving to such a home as offering an enviable lifestyle, and one which enables them to settle into the environment before they might become dependent on others for care.  If retired people suddenly find themselves in houses that are too large for their needs and too tough to maintain, they may choose to move to a luxury retirement home rather than renting a smaller property, thus avoiding all the hassle that goes with the extra moving.

The main selling point of luxury homes compared with more conventional care homes is the independence they offer, and the social aspect of the residence.  For those who can afford it, another option is to pay for the services of an outside care agency, but this can leave people feeling rather lonely as they are stuck in their own home.

High-end care homes or villages sometimes offer the option to buy apartments within the complex, reflecting the fact that they are offered more as a long-term lifestyle choice than as a last resort for those who need full time care.

An understanding of the nature of these nursing homes should give a good insight into how these types of care home manager jobs might differ from typical ones.  Nursing home manager jobs in high-end homes demand not just a manager who is in command of the care provision and safety of residents, but also a sense of the need to provide quality of life for residents who are much more independent than those one might be accustomed to.  Home manager jobs like this present different challenges but can be just as rewarding and, of course, offer better salaries than conventional ones.

Please visit http://www.aboutcare.co.uk/ for further information about this topic.

http://www.aboutcare.co.uk/

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Healthcare, Human Resources

External louvres could be the right option for your project

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April 16th, 2011

Do you know your brise soleil from your glass louvres?  If you are dealing with an architectural project, the first thing you might like to do is to make sure you understand the key terms that are often thrown around.  Beneath the complex language often lie a few easy concepts that, once explained, are really quite straightforward and are likely to be very useful for your project.  If you would like to be confident when talking to an architect about external louvres, this article should be of some help.

The phrase ‘brise soleil’ is from the French, meaning ‘sun breaker’.  The term refers to all sorts of permanent sun-shading techniques, and the beauty of the technique is the range of architectural strategies that come under this umbrella – from the basic patterned walls used by Le Corbusier to the vast mechanical, pattern-creating devices of the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris.  In its standard form, this sun breaker is basically a horizontal projection attached to the sun-side façade of a building.  Façades with a large amount of glass can be in danger of overheating during the summer, and fitting a brise-soleil is a very good way of stopping this from happening.  The structure can be further tailored by incorporating louvres, which prevent high angle summer sun falling on the façade, and allow low-angle winter sun to provide passive solar heating.

Glass is one of the most widely used and multifunctional building products there is.  It can be used for many purposes, from creating striking glass façades to elegant internal screen solutions.  Glass louvres are used to control solar heat gain within buildings, and have traditionally been tinted to give the desired effect.  More elaborate finishes are available, too.  Ceramic frits, for example, involve baking a type of paint onto the glass.  These type of finishes create a more exciting appearance while reflecting the sun’s heat and helping to maintain an appropriate interior temperature.  These days, glass louvres are taking on a more active role in buildings than ever before, with light redirection and photovoltaic systems allowing for several different functions.  These louvres can offer building owners and specifiers realistic solutions in terms of creating environmentally friendly buildings by minimising the need for air conditioning while providing renewable energy sources as well as shading.

Basic external louvres, on the other hand, are usually mounted in the vertical, with a row of horizontal blades shaped and positioned to minimise the ingress of water.  With largely simple functions such as providing shade from the sun, the brise soleil, glass louvres and the like should not provoke confusion.  Once you know what they are and how they work, it should be fairly simple to assess which solution would be right for your project.

Please visit http://www.maplesunscreening.co.uk/ for further information about this topic.

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Construction

Sales presentations are important in winning the bid

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March 23rd, 2011

Powerpoint design is really simple. Hundreds of people use it for sales presentations every day, and some do a fair job of it. Powerpoint presentations are the industry standard for communicating information in a sales-type meeting, when you are wanting to show the audience that you have the answer and product for them. Strong Powerpoint design, on the other hand – a presentation that does what you want it to and inspires and motivates rather than sends people to sleep – is a different and altogether tougher art.

Powerpoint is extremely versatile, and has a great number of features – some of which will not even be known to the casual user. These can add real buzz to your presentations; on the other hand, poorly used they can detract badly from the message you are attempting to get across, and act as a distraction. The best use of Powerpoint is as a support to what you are saying, not as competition, and definitely not as a replacement. It has to function in such a way as to draw in the audience, rather than alienate them or give them an opportunity to switch off from listening to you. (Incidentally, the same goes of any photocopies you send round – they need to complement your presentation rather than replace it. There is nothing worse, from the audience’s point of view, of receiving what is essentially the same presentation three times, in forms that hardly differ – once on a handout, once on the screen with Powerpoint, and once spoken by you.)

A little teaching in Powerpoint design can go a long way. Even if it’s just taking you through the basics and showing you how the main functions work – and how they should be used to maximum effect – then it can be worth a lot in sales later on. Say, for the sake of argument, that the training you receive from a professional organisation or individual makes the difference in a single instance, securing a deal through your superior sales presentations that you would otherwise have missed out on? That’s likely enough to pay for the training money, several times over, already. Previously, your lacklustre Powerpoint presentations might have held you back; now, they are the missing piece you needed to make all the difference. That’s something that’s definitely worth thinking about next time you’re sitting through a bad sales meeting with one of the worst examples in front of you.

Please visit http://www.eyefulpresentations.co.uk/ for further information about this topic.

http://www.eyefulpresentations.co.uk/

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Communication, Sales

For computer support London is ideal!

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March 19th, 2011

Aside from perhaps a minority of the smallest and personal of businesses, every organisation nowadays relies on computers to carry out their every day tasks. In fact, IT has become such an integral side of business operations that a computer glitch – be it a hardware failure, software crash or internet connection problem – can seriously harm profitability and bring hours or days of wasted time – time that most companies can ill afford to throw away. For computer support London offers a number of services that are on hand 24 hours a day and can see to your problem remotely or, where easier, in person. IT support London is very important, and can give you the peace of mind that you are not at the mercy of the errors of your IT systems.

IT failures are often high on the list of reasons or excuses that businesses give for a low quality service or even complete lack of engagement, in some cases. There are regular reports of websites being inaccessible – either unintentionally, through unforeseen circumstances, or through malicious hacking. Your website is the first sight that customers have of your organisation; a broken website can mean that potential clients merely exercise their initiative and find another site that is unaffected, therefore leading to permanent loss of business for you. Although some of these problems are really serious and unavoidable, a large number can be quickly fixed or, better still, avoided in the first place if someone with the right knowledge is involved in running them. Some wealthier companies may have on-site assistance, since the size of their operation means that it is worthwhile having IT support on a full-time basis; others will contract out, finding this more cost effective. Either way, you need help at hand as soon as possible when something arises – ideally minutes rather than hours or, in the worst case scenario, days.

So, IT support London is vital for companies with a significant web presence or which rely on their computer systems to carry out their day-to-day operations. Without such computer support London companies can find themselves hamstrung by circumstances beyond their control, seriously affecting their profitability and image to their customers. In the worst cases, large amounts of business and money can be lost, such as when the London Stock Exchange had to close due to computer problems. Even on a smaller scale, that kind of catastrophic failure is one best avoided.

Please visit http://www.fwcs.co.uk/ for further information about this topic.

http://www.fwcs.co.uk/

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Technical Support