Now, it’s time to prepare yourself for your first week at a new place! Scary right..?

Trying to make a great impression on co-workers, your new boss and your clients!

So how can you make sure that happens? Let’s take a look.“How to Make a Great Impression at Your New Job” #Careers

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1. Practice your introduction.

What’s the one thing you’re going to have to do over and over and over again during your first week of work? Introduce yourself. (I know; it can get quite irritating!)

So, if I were you, to save yourself from a lot of ‘erms’ and ‘umming’ I’d get yourself prepared…

Be ready to answer:

• Are you new? (Duh).
• So what will you be doing with us?
• Are you going to be working with Bob?
• Where did you work before?
• Where do you live?
• Do you drive into work?

And keep that smile on your face! Yes, it might be frustrating having to answer the same questions, but your co-workers are simply trying to break the ice and open up conversation so they can get to know you better!Practice your intro! #Careers #NewJob

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2. Get some rest.

You’re not you when you’re exhausted!

I can’t state how important it is for you to feel fresh and energetic during your first week of work.

So, where possible, try to have a couple of days rest and a couple of good nights’ sleep, before you start. (So for example, if you start on a Monday, don’t party all weekend!)

Struggling to sleep?  Check out these tips on how to relax, when you’re stressed.You’re not you when you’re exhausted! #NewJob #Careers

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3. Start your first day right!

Just not a morning person?

You really want to start that first day firing on all cylinders, so here are some helpful tips on how to wake yourself up quicker (without coffee. Although coffee does help)!

• Do some exercise! Exercising in the morning will increase energy levels and enhance mood for the day – because it boosts oxygen to the brain and the body.
• Do some brain exercise! Warm up your brain too by reading a book, completing a puzzle or checking your emails – proven to increase your alertness.
• Eat some breakfast! Come on; by now you KNOW that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Get something down you.

Do NOT snooze your alarm 101 times and then rush out of the door in a mad panic. You need to be calm, confident and mentally prepared to take on tough day’s work.

For more tips on how to wake up quicker, without coffee, click here.Start your first day, right. #NewJob #Careers

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4. Smile

You have just a few seconds to make an impression on your peers – so don’t make a crap one.

No matter how nervous you might get, it’s absolutely essential that you keep that smile on your face, for three reasons:

1. It will help people to warm to you.
2. It will make you appear more confident.
3. It will actually help you psychologically remain happier!*

*Yes, smiling actually helps to psychologically trick yourself into genuinely becoming happier!

Win–win–win.

Come on think about it, what do you want people saying: “who’s that friendly person we just hired” or “who’s that grumpy bugger who never smiles?”Smile! #NewJob

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5. (Try to) memorise names.

Ok, you don’t have to memorise everyone’s name on your first day (or even during your first week). In fact, most people will understand; it’s a lot to take in.

But it would be pretty impressive if you did.

It will immediately strengthen the bond between yourself and colleagues and people would naturally feel warmer towards you.

Recruiter Pro Tip

If you are crap with names (like me) then you must at least try to remember the names of the people who interviewed you and your managers.

It just looks lazy and indifferent if you don’t and that won’t go down well.

NB: calling people “pal” and “mate” isn’t going to fool anyone.(Try to) memorise names. #NewJob #Careers

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6. Be proactive.

Have you ever felt like a complete burden on your first day?

Not really having a clue what to do when you’ve finished a task and having to keep asking your boss “so what next?” can make you feel a little bit helpless. But that’s normal!

Just do it!

I guarantee that your new manager is going to be a lot more annoyed if you’ve sat around doing nothing for an hour, than if you’ve taken initiative, spoken up and asked for more work.

It’s their fault if you’re not getting given enough to do in the first place!Be proactive. What’s next? #NewJob #Careers

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7. Ask for help.

Yes, you read that right.

Just as you should inform your boss when you need more work, you should also go to them (or a relevant colleague) when you need help.

From simple things like logging into your computer to complex technical issues; asking is always better than ignoring the problem and wasting time.

And your new boss will expect it.

Monster have even written an article on how to ask for help at your new job!It’s ok to ask for help. In fact, it’s expected. #NewJob

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8. Make friends.

Within a few hours of being in the office, you’ll probably have worked out who you want to be friends with (and who you really don’t).

Align yourselves with people like yourself, but do be careful you don’t ostracise anyone. That might come back to bite you on the bum.

Recruiter Pro Tip.

Make friends, but try not to…

• Keep things professional, until you know people better.
• Get involved in gossip. Even if it seems harmless.
• Cause any drama. This goes without saying.

You don’t want to p*ss off half the team before you’ve even started and you don’t want to come across weird.

Here are some tips on how to make friends at work.Make friends. #NewJob

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9. Don’t be a “try-hard.”

Don’t overdo it!

You don’t want to look too desperate to make new friends.

If you get the feeling that someone doesn’t want to talk to you, move on and act cool!Don’t try too hard. #NewJob

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10. Work out the rules.

Your contract will outline all of the more important rules about what you can and cannot do at your workplace, from working hours and holidays to social media and clothing.

But there are also a lot of unwritten rules that you’ll have to look out for like ‘don’t eat hot food at the desk,’  ‘don’t throw food waste into the paper bins’ and ‘don’t put the air conditioning on without asking Jane (who sits beneath it!).’

Be on your guard during your first day (and first week) to suss out the dos and don’ts and try not to step on any toes.

Here are some examples of unwritten office rules, you should definitely stick to.

They’re funny but they’re true.Work out the (unwritten) rules. #NewJob

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11. Be prepared to stay late!

How often does anyone really work a nine till five these days? (Not very).

It is actually quite important that you don’t just go running out of the door at bang on 5pm, unless of course everyone else does so.

You and your team are “all in this together” so it’s a sign of loyalty and commitment if you stick around when others have to.

For now at least, you need to prove that you’re willing to go the extra mile! (In the future, you can set your boundaries.)

If you run out of things to do, then again, be proactive and ask your boss – he’ll no doubt send you on your way.You may just have to stay late. #NewJob

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Summary.

Now there are a couple of things I have missed out on this list. But I’ve missed them out because they’re downright obvious and I’m sure you’ve heard them before…

• Dress to impress. (A suit is best, unless told otherwise).
• Turn up on time. (No in fact, show up early).
• Don’t be a know-it-all. (Stepping on other people’s toes is NOT the way to go).

If you’d prefer to receive a weekly dose of our careers and job-seeking advice, feel free to click here and subscribe to our blog.

Good luck.

After all, when you’re logging in from your own front room, who is to tell you where your front room is anymore?

Could it be the beach café, a log cabin in the wilderness or a desk space in the world’s most exciting city?

Christopher Nye, Senior Editor at overseas relocation and homes website Property Guides, gives us the why, how and where of remote working.

Remote Working

It’s fascinating how remote working has changed over the past six months.

Are you still trying to have Friday post-work drinks on Zoom?

Do you all have to switch cameras on at your workplace or can you have early-morning meetings from your bed?!

Either way, it looks set to be the new normal, popular with 9 out of 10 workers, according to academic research.

At Property Guides we’ve been paying British people to write for us from far-flung corners of the world for 20 years, so we know a thing or two about remove working. Very remote working.

The first thing to mention is that the world appears – at first glance – to have just shrunk, along with your opportunities.

If Covid-19 hasn’t closed down relocation to your favoured long-haul destination, Brexit has just limited your opportunities in 27 of our near neighbours.

So, can you still do it?

Of course you can – and seeing how resourceful we’ve been in the pandemic, moving when it starts to ease will be a doddle!

First let’s look at how you do it, then where.

Visas

As of 1^st January you’ll be a ‘third country national’ in other EU nations and unable to live within the EU full time and work without a visa.

Even that’s not as limiting as it could be, because if you stay for fewer than three months at a time and less than 183 days a year, you won’t have to get a visa. January to March in Andalusia, anyone? Then late summer in Tuscany?

But assuming you want to live in one place full time, everywhere from Estonia to the Algarve you’ll need a visa.

Work visas traditionally require you to have a job offer from a local company, but several countries have cottoned on to the benefits of attracting talented, adventurous and hard-working people from around the world.

They have launched ’digital nomad’ visas, which let you work for a foreign based company.

If you have the money you could opt for a ‘golden visa’. This is where you invest in a country and get residency in return.

These are surprisingly cheap in some countries, including the US which requires an investment of $500,000 for an E2 Visa – and remember, you’re not losing the money, just investing it.

Golden visas often allow buying a property.

So you not only get to own a property from a home overlooking a palm-fringed beach; but work there too.

(Now you’ll more tempted to put the camera on for your work meetings!).

Another option, open to around 10% of Brits, is to apply for an Irish passport and thereby keep your EU freedom of movement.

If you can track down birth certificates for just one Irish grandparent, the processes of applying are relatively simple.

Where?

So if you’re ready to take the plunge, where are the best countries to move to for today’s remote workers?

Barbados

Barbados is one of several Caribbean countries offering digital nomad or golden visas, others including Antigua and Bermuda.

Barbados’s new ‘Welcome Stamp’ programme encourages remote workers to enjoy the island’s sunshine and beaches for up to one year.

You won’t need to pay Barbadian income tax either and applications cost around £1,500.

Cyprus

Cyprus can be like home-from-home, with a well-established British community if you want it.

It offers cheap and frequent flights home via easyJet, all year, and very reasonable living costs.

Taxes are low too and there are a range of golden visas available.

The Netherlands

The Dutch are keen to welcome digital remote workers.

They offer a special visa for independent entrepreneurs, including freelancers who are earning more than €1,270 per month and have at least one Dutch client and a viable business plan.

Estonia

Similarly, the country where Skype was born of course offers a digital nomad visa scheme for those working remotely for employers outside of Estonia or working as a freelancer for clients abroad.

You’ll need to show an income of at least €3,500 per month.

Germany

Germany was the first to introduce digital nomad visas, called ‘Freiberufler’.

This lets you freelance from anywhere in the country.

Berlin is one of the cheapest and most exciting of Europe’s capitals to live in. Munich is a pricier option, but so beautifully positioned for you to explore Europe.

In 2021, when we can travel again, the world will be your oyster.

Or will it be your øster, huître or устрица?

Summary

Thanks Chris!

A great article with some amazing points on remote working. Let’s be honest, if one good thing has come from Covid-19, it’s that people feel a lot more comfortable with remote work.

Both employers and employees alike.

So, when you’re feeling nervous about applying for overseas roles, or remote work in general, don’t.

Face it head on, take yourself on an adventure. It’s nowhere near as impossible as you may think.

While there’s no way of predicting exactly what you’ll be asked at an interview, these answers to our 10 challenging questions might just help you out of a tight spot.

Why are you leaving your current job?

If you left, or are leaving your job because of a personality conflict, never try to explain the situation. You can say that you saw this job advertised and that you believe you would be very well suited to it, or you might explain that you’re looking for new challenges in the workplace.

How do you respond to taking direction from superiors?

Here you need to emphasise your ability to work as part of a team and talk briefly about how all teams need to take direction from a manager.

How well do you handle criticism?

Here you get to show your human side by talking about how we all make mistakes, and that we can all learn from constructive and positive criticism.

What motivates you?

This is not where you talk about ‘money’ and ‘fast cars’. Mention instead, how being immersed in a working project which delivers regular results motivates and drives you forward.

How long would it take before you make an impact if you started today?

You can always say you’d hope to contribute from day one, but you also need to be realistic and explain that it might take a couple of months before you fully understand the inner workings of the company to a sufficient extent that you could make a noticeable impact.

Have you attended other interviews?

This is a great question that you can really turn to your advantage. A candidate in demand will naturally appear more appealing to any hiring manager. So, say you are actively looking for a new position but don’t give them the impression you’re more interested in landing another job than the one you’re being interviewed for.

What do you know about the company?

This is where your pre-interview research pays off. Outline briefly what you’ve learned about the company and appear keen to hear more.

What can you offer us that the next candidate can’t?

This is where you get to show off what you’ve got to offer. Talk about your achievements to date and the areas of the business you feel you could work with and where you feel you can make a positive impact.

We’re concerned you may be a little overqualified for the position, how do you feel about it?

Explain that you’re eager to establish yourself within the organisation for the long-term. You can say that you believe your experience will enable you to make significant contributions to the company from the outset and that ultimately you feel very well suited to the position on offer.

What aspect of this job least appeals to you?

Less is more when answering this one. There’s really only one answer: that you’ve read through the job spec thoroughly and there is no aspect of the job that doesn’t appeal to you. Then, move along, quickly. Remember, the interview table is no place for moaning.

Now equipped to answer any challenging questions, make sure you make an overall great impression during your interview. 

There is a big difference between a good and a bad CV so here are a few tips on how to avoid the many pitfalls of CV preparation.

Students often ask Careers Advisers for examples or templates that they can use to prepare their own CV. This is not a good way to start, as it is very unlikely to be tailored to your strengths or the position for which you are applying.

There is strong evidence that the most effective CV’s are those that are tailored or customised to a specific occupation or job. You may need to think of creating a collection of CV’s rather than just a single document.

When you start the process of constructing your CV, there are two things you should consider very carefully:

Your own skills, knowledge, experience and attributes you can offer to an employer and your evidence/proof of these abilities.

The requirements of the occupation, employer and the position you are aiming for.

Within your CV you need to try to show how your skills and knowledge fit the requirements of the potential employer. The following categories are typical ways of organising the content:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Biographical Information: Name and Address, home telephone number, mobile number. Even a small photograph of yourself can be added (usually to the top right of the first page). Other information may be added but only if it is relevant to your ability to perform the job.

CAREER AIMS OR PERSONAL PROFILE (OPTIONAL)

This should be a short concise summary of you as an individual.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

This provides details of your educational achievements to date, giving particular prominence to those most recent and/or relevant to the job. It is often best to list your education and qualifications in reverse chronological order, and good practice to provide some details of your degree.

EMPLOYMENT/WORK EXPERIENCE

This includes details of work, voluntary work, weekend or evening jobs.

ACHIEVEMENTS

This section provides an opportunity for you to sell yourself pointing out your key activities, strengths, interpersonal skills and any related activities and achievements.

INTERESTS AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES

A brief list of your interests, hobbies and pastimes.

REFERENCES

It is normal to list two, ideally one from University and the other from an employer.