We know that looking for the right role can be very stressful.
It’s all about standing out from the crowd, and whilst an amazing banking and finance recruitment company can help you get an incredible job in that sector, it’s worth considering how a personal brand can also help.
Believe it or not, but everyone is a brand. By using tools like social media, you have the opportunity to elevate your personal brand, and as a result be head and shoulders above your competition.

Remember, there is only so much people can find out from your resume.

Creating an effective personal brand can help give you the opportunity to be in front of a large range of potential employers, grow your professional network, and build a favourable image of yourself.
Here are five ways to help you build your personal brand:

1. Build a persona online

In a world where everything is turning digital, having an online brand is starting to become a crucial part of the job search.
This means that you’ll want to keep your online profiles consistent, and consider these accounts are reflective of how you want to be viewed.
So showcase your accomplishments, include a professional image on your profiles, and don’t be afraid to talk about what you’ve been up to.

Remember unless you tell people what you’re up to, they won’t know.

Use the tools you have online to build you personal brand.

2. Expand your network

Network, network, network!
We can’t express it enough.
Whether it’s online or offline, a great way to build your personal brand is to network.
Word of mouth goes a long way, and by expanding your network through networking you’ll have more of an opportunity to be vouched for.
Talk to new people online, and, better yet, get them to meet you in person offline for a cup of coffee.
So get developing your 60 second pitch, create a business card that actually works, and set some networking goals!

3. Dress for the job you want

Whether you like it or not, there is a high chance you’ll be constantly evaluated by the people you meet.
This can be in the workplace, or out and about, and a big factor that plays into this evaluation is how you dress.
How you dress at work sends a number of signals about how you view the environment, how much respect you have for your work and yourself, what groups you identify with, and where you think you belong.
In this article by Quora over on Forbes website, they largely discuss the mindset behind dressing for the job you want and its effectiveness.
It’s an interesting read, and once again plays into the factor that you, yourself are a brand.
Dressing for the job you want is just another tool at your disposal for getting the job you want.
Not to mention, it’s been reported that the clothes you wear can impact your self confidence, another bonus of a great work wardrobe!
Dress to impress and find the role that is right for you by working with a banking and financial recruitment company like ours!

4. Think of yourself as a company

If you wanted people to work with your company, and not your competitors, what would you do differently?
By thinking of yourself as a company it forces you to take a moment to consider how best to push your ‘company’ toward success.
To network you’ll need to act professional on behalf of the company; you’ll need to build positive relationships on behalf of the company; and you’ll need to market your selling points on behalf of your company.
How would you do things differently if you were a company, not just a potential employee?

5. Be yourself

We know it may seem a bit cheesy to include this as the last point, but it’s something to consider in your trials to a great personal brand.
Too many professionals attempt to fit into the bracket of what ‘they think employers want’ and lose themselves along the way.
Don’t be afraid to show that you’re enjoying life, whether that’s by cracking a joke or by telling meaningful stories from time to time.

You are the biggest selling feature of your personal brand, so don’t forget to include yourself in the brand you are creating.

In the grand scheme of things there are tons of people using the Internet to build their brand and get a job.
So you need to have a unique identity to attract potential employers.
Why not show there is more to you than what meets the eye? Or, in the case that you’re working with recruiters too, what’s on the pages of your CV?

Our final notes?

We know how hard it can be to find a new role in a new company, but with the help of creating a personal brand, and a few helping hands along the way, we believe you can truly find the right position for you.
Don’t forget; personal brand is just another way of providing employers, and recruiters, with the opportunity to see who you are off the pages of your CV.
Remember you can speak to our bespoke banking and financial services recruitment team about what role you may be best suited to in this industry, or check out our current range of opportunities!

At some point in your career you’ll be asked that all important, but all dreaded question…

“What are some of your greatest workplace strengths?”

It can be worded in a different way, but the effect will always be the same. And in our line of work as a banking and financial recruitment company, we really have heard every phrasing possible.
So what are your workplace strengths?
This can be asked in an interview for a new role, or it could be in a performance evaluation. At some point that question or a similar one will creep up, and when the time comes, you want to have a solid answer.
Why are questions like this asked so frequently?
Well, the person interviewing wants to make sure that your strengths fit in with what the company needs, and whether you have the capabilities to thrive in their team.
Knowing how likely it’ll be to hear a question along these lines in an interview should make it easier for you to have an answer ready to go, but a lot of times we hear about struggles with answering it effectively.
That’s often because questions like these require you to tread carefully between two paths: too humble or overselling yourself.
If you’re too humble, you’ll often undersell your achievements and skills.
If you oversell yourself you can easily come across as self-interested, and as a result, may appear unable to work in a team.
So how do you find the right balance between the two and identify your key workplace strengths?
When getting ready for an interview it's important to think of your workplace strengths.

Initial assessment

An incredibly popular way to assess your strengths is through using S.W.O.T.
S.W.O.T. refers to Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
Where should you start when using this method?
Jodie Shaw recommends the following approach:

Break each area into relevant questions and divide a paper into four quadrants (one each for strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities).

Some examples of questions you could ask yourself for the strengths part could be:

  • What are my unique selling points?
  • What makes me right for the company I’m applying to?
  • Who am I professionally?
  • Do I have any experience that’s relevant to the company I’m applying to?
  • What other talents do I have?
  • If I had to choose something what would I say I am I proud of myself for?

And, of course;

  • Why should they want to hire me?

After doing a thorough analysis consider asking those who know you well to provide you with honest feedback. You can then apply the analysis to match your strengths with opportunities, or weaknesses to areas or situations you should avoid in the future.
Our top tip is to identify five key strengths and then match them to the requirements and skills that are needed in the job descriptions for roles you’re interested in!
You can figure out which strengths to include in the next section.
Consider your workplace strengths before attending an interview.

What strengths should you refer to?

Now that you’ve identified your best strengths, it’s time to decide which are the most relevant to your position. So which strengths should you go for?

Interpersonal

Mentioning interpersonal skills as a strength means you’re great at communication.
You’re able to work in a team or group, and with people in general.
These skills are vital in all areas of life, including work, education and socially.
They also relate to emotional intelligence and being able to understand your own emotions and others.

Knowledge

This strength relates to skills gained through education, experience, or both. These can be computer skills, industry knowledge, qualifications, languages, social media skills and more.
If there are skills mentioned in the job description, remember that other candidates will have that skill too.
However, there is no reason you can’t give an example or two about your proficiency.

Transferable

This strength is the ability to have portable skills, these can be relevant and helpful across different areas.
Most of us already have transferable skills, whether you’ve developed them in your time in education, at home, the workplace or at social events.
It’s always a good idea to identify and provide examples of skills you have developed along the way, as it can show employers that you’re right for the role you’re applying to.

What next?

It’s very unlikely that you won’t get asked any questions relating to your strengths.
So during your interview try and stay alert to opportunities to communicate your strengths which are most relevant.
Try and relate previous roles you’ve had to strengths you’ve gained from those positions.
In the case you can’t find the opportunity during the interview, you can always add them in at the end if you’re asked if you have anything to add.
Not sure where to start on your job search?
That’s where we come in.
We are Campbell & Fletcher Recruitment, a finance and banking recruitment company specialising in the career management of the highest calibre people in banking and financial services across the UK.
Looking for your next role in banking and financial services?
Check out our current list of opportunities here, and visit our LinkedIn and Twitter to keep up to date with any new or upcoming roles.

Everyone has a bad day at work from time to time.
But how do you know it’s time to move on from a current role?
We believe that making the decision to change jobs should take time, and should never happen in the heat of the moment.
Which is why we’ve compiled our top reasons to leave a job, if you’re thinking of making the move:

1. You’ve started to dread it


Your alarm blares through your ears, and you find yourself throwing the blankets over your head.
“I don’t want to go in today. I really don’t want to go in today.”
You get the train with your heart in the pit of your stomach, and the moment you enter the office, your eyes drift to the clock to see how long you’ve got left of your working day, but it’s only just started.
Now we know everyone isn’t a morning person, but if this has become a daily routine, alarm bells should be ringing.
If you’re going to be working each and every day until you retire, you should at least get some enjoyment from your role.

2. Your wellbeing is suffering

Are you finding yourself sick more than usual?
Are you working so many hours that your lifestyle is taking the hit?
Too much pressure can lead to health issues in the long-run, and whilst it may be fine for a bit, over extended periods they may not be as fun.
No job is worth your wellbeing suffering.

3. There’s no room for progression


Perhaps you’ve been passed over for promotion too many times, or you’ve hit the ceiling in your current role, and can’t go any higher.
Unless you absolutely love the role you’re in, don’t waste your time in a position that doesn’t offer you opportunities for growth.
It may end up hindering your career progression in the long run.

4. There is a toxic work atmosphere

If your boss is constantly unhappy, or your colleagues are always complaining, you may have a toxic workplace atmosphere.

According to Bustle a toxic work environment is: anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, unappreciated, or undervalued. This can range from all out bullying, screaming and talked down to, to more subtle forms of poor communication, setting people up for failure, mismanagement and an air of hostility.

Does this sound like your workplace?
Then it may be time for a change of pace.

5. You justify the negatives


“I’m always working overtime, and my work colleagues aren’t the nicest, but I’m on a decent wage.”
Why have one or the other?
If you find yourself complaining about your job more often than praising it, you should have a job that allows you to focus more on the positives than the negatives.
Know that these roles are out there, and we can help.

6. The role doesn’t speak to you anymore

There’s nothing wrong with outgrowing a role, especially if you’ve been working in it for quite a while.
On the off-chance that you’ve lost your passion for your position, it may be worth changing jobs and searching elsewhere for something more worthwhile.

7. Procrastination has become a daily habit


Right, time to get to work…but there is this new post on Facebook…
Back to work…but have you seen this cat video?
Are you finding yourself making excuses not to work?
Or maybe just giving yourself distractions from your current task at hand?
Everyone procrastinates from time to time, but if this is all day everyday, you may have lost interest in your role.
You should at least have some part of your job that’s more interesting than what Susans doing for dinner tonight.

8. You’re reading this blog

We went there.
If you’re reading this blog, the thought of leaving your current role has stuck with you so much, that you’ve decided to check out this post.
Why did you decide to read this article?
Is it because you’re looking for a reason to leave you role, and need something to back up how you’re feeling?
We understand.

What next?

When it comes down to leaving your job, pick your moment to leave.
Make sure you’ve got your next role lined up, and take into consideration any notice period you have to give.
Keep in mind there are some times that are better than others to hand in your notice.
Not sure where to start on your job search?
That’s where we come in.
We are Campbell & Fletcher Recruitment, a finance and banking recruitment company specialising in the career management of the highest calibre people in banking and financial services across the UK.
Looking for your next role in banking and financial services?
Check out our current list of opportunities here, and visit our LinkedIn and Twitter to keep up to date with any new or upcoming roles.

When it comes to getting your dream job, whilst an incredibly good bespoke banking and financial services recruiter (like ours) can help you land the interview, having a stand out CV is crucial, so you’ll want avoid any CV mistakes.
Crafting the perfect CV takes time and dedication.
It’s horrible to think about how it could be rejected at the first hurdle if there is anything like a simple, but easily avoided error.
With an average of 250 CVs for every vacancy, you’ll want to avoid these 6 major CV mistakes:

1. Including an unprofessional email address


Your CV is a professional document, which is why you won’t want to include an email address that’s as outdated as it is unprofessional.
Which is why it’s a terrible decision to have it at the very top of your CV, let alone include it in your CV.
It will make recruiters judge you from the second they open and read it.
Consider making an email address with your name and birthdate, or even from a domain much like all of our teams email addresses who have their first name and are followed by @cfrecruitment.co.uk
Picture it this way:
You’re in the hirers shoes, and someone hands you this fantastic CV…except their email is badgyal27@yahoo.com
Do you still want to hire them?

2. Having too many pages

One page? Fantastic.
Two pages? Ideal.
Three pages or more? We might need to rework your CV.
With the average boss taking just three minutes to review a CV, while one in five making a decision after reviewing it in under a minute, we can assure you that no one wants to read a five page CV.
Your CV is not supposed to be a novel, try to keep it to one or two pages if you can, because if they’re not convinced after one or two pages, we doubt they’ll make it to three and four.
There are multiple ways to do this, but our best tip is to shorten old or irrelevant roles, that way you don’t lose any of the valuable parts.

3. Poor formatting and design


If you want your CV to get noticed above the rest, you’ll need consider the design and formatting.
Try to use a reasonable sized font, and ensure that you’re using a good amount of white space.
Instead of using full sentences, try and use bullet points to break it down more.
When exporting your document aim for a PDF, and before printing or submitting your CV, save it and spend some time away from it.
That way you can go back through it and check it over before you send it off.
Aim to keep you CV concise so that it can be absorbed quickly, and avoid confusing layouts, and beware of using different fonts and sizes.

4. Not tailoring your CV

You should factor in each company you apply for and their specific roles.
When reading the job description for any role, really think about what the words mean, and how you can show off experience that is related to that particular position.
Make sure you fully understand what’s needed of you for the role, and if the opportunity presents itself, maybe include some technical terminology.
Tailor your CV for each role, and company, even taking time to reiterate some of the wording of the job description.

5. Forgetting to spell check


You submit your CV, and the bliss is short lived when you realise there is a glaring mistake right in that first section.
It’s shocking how many times we hear recruiters complain about spelling mistakes and typos, and this also extends to using capital letters appropriately.
They can sometimes signify a lack of attention to detail, and can even make your application appear unprofessional.
Before submitting your CV, make sure to double check spellings and grammar.

6. Lying

Many people feel the need to exaggerate their education, job titles, and dates of employment.
However, this does not make you exempt from background checks, and from your new potential employer calling your references.
When it comes to employment dates, it’s very easy to feel like you have to cover up a time gap.
But, all it takes is to be honest about what you were doing during that employment gap.
Whether you took the time off to look after family, or your own health and wellbeing, you can discuss how to talk about any employment gaps with your recruiter.
There’s no shame in informing employers of a period spent away from work due to an illness, medical condition or redundancy.
Another reason it’s not worth lying on your CV is that it’s actually fraud.
Apparently 324 people were prosecuted for lies on their CV in 2013, up from 205 in 2012.
Don’t ruin your chances of getting your dream job by turning a 2:2 into a 2:1, or by lying about any experiences you have had.

Our final notes?

If you keep these tips in mind when preparing for your next role, we have no doubts you’ll smash it on the CV front.
If you’re still looking for a role, remember you can speak to our finance and banking recruitment team about what role you may be best suited to.