How to avoid burnout at work

One of the trickiest things about climbing the ladder is finding a healthy work-life balance. You want to impress your boss. You want to achieve as much as possible. But you also need to know where to draw the line. If you don’t, you’ll end up suffering from burnout.

But what is burnout at work? How do you know if you’re working too hard? Let’s take a look at all the signs you’re experiencing work burnout.

What is professional burnout?

Burnout is when you’ve worked yourself to the point of exhaustion. You no longer have the physical or mental willpower to carry on working. As a result, your energy levels are low… and so are your motivation levels. 

6 signs you’re working too hard

Losing sleep

Is the thought of work keeping you up at night? If so, you’re definitely overworked. Sleep is an essential part of your daily routine. But when you’re stressed or anxious, your sleep can get disrupted.

Working through your lunch

Skipping lunch to carry on working is a definite sign of burnout. It shows you’re so busy, you can’t even afford to spare 30 minutes for yourself.

Working after hours

Most full-time employees work 36.5 hours per week. But what happens if you start early and stay late everyday? You’ll soon end up doing 50+ hours per week. This is going to lead to burnout. Switching off after work is a must.

You dread going into the office

If you dread starting work, it could be because you’re burnt out. Nobody should feel dread everyday before work. Feeling like this will soon run you into the ground. 

Feeling overwhelmed

Are you overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do? Does it feel like you’ll never reach the end of your to-do list? This isn’t a healthy way to feel. Overwhelm can stop you from doing anything at all!

Falling sick (immune system is low – rest is important)

If you keep getting sick, it may be because of burnout. Feeling overworked lowers your immune system. So you’re more prone to getting sick. If you keep getting run down, it’s probably time you spend more time on your self-care.

How to avoid burnout at work

Rest well

Getting 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night is key to looking after your mental health. Avoid electronics 2 hours before bed – this is known to help you sleep better at night!

Take your breaks

Commit to your break times. Remind yourself that taking a break is going to help you perform better. It’s a bit like switching off your computer when it starts to lag. It performs better after a quick rest!

Focus on one task at a time

Force yourself to only focus on one task at a time. Doing too many things at once only creates distraction and overwhelm. 

Ask for help

Take a little pressure off yourself by asking for help! That’s what teammates are for. Speak to your manager about how you’re feeling. They should make some changes to help you manage your workload better.

Set boundaries

Boundaries are an important part of managing burnout. You can’t always say ‘yes’ to every task. You need to learn to say ‘no’ too. It’s also important you switch off from work at the end of the day. Be strict with yourself. Leave on time. Turn off your notifications and don’t check your work emails.

Practise meditation

10 minutes of meditation per day can totally transform your day. Even when you’re feeling stressed, meditation can be a great coping tool. 

Self-care for the win

Self-care at work isn’t always easy. But it’s an absolute must. Especially if you’re feeling burnt out. If you dread going into work or are low on energy, maybe it’s time to make some changes.

Looking for a better work-life balance? Browse over half a million jobs on the SonicJobs app today!

Careers with the highest job satisfaction in the UK

Looking for a more satisfying job? We spend the majority of our lives at work. So it’s only natural to want a job that fulfills you. After all, you don’t want to spend most of your life doing a job you hate. 

But job satisfaction isn’t black and white. And it looks different for everyone. It’s a combination of many different factors. And it will always be personal to you.

But before you hand in your notice, think carefully before making your next move. Explore all options. We’ve created a list of the highest ranking careers for job satisfaction in the UK.

What is job satisfaction?

Job satisfaction is individual to each person. But take a look at this list of some of the most common features of the happiest jobs.

Personal growth

Many people find job satisfaction comes in the form of growth. That means developing your professional skills through training and experience. This could be working on more complex projects, or taking on additional tasks. Without growth, employees can feel bored!

Career progression

Career progression is an important factor for lots of workers. Especially people who are career-driven. Most people don’t want to stay at the same level for their whole lives. Instead, they want the opportunity to gain promotions and climb the ladder.

Work-life balance

Work-life balance is becoming a more and more important part of career growth. Employees are now ranking this balance as a key part of job satisfaction. Burnout is fast becoming a thing of the past!

Team dynamic

Getting along with your colleagues can be a vital part of job satisfaction for lots of people. After all, we spend most of our waking days with the people we work with. So it makes the world of difference when you get along and enjoy their company.

Competitive salary

Of course, salary plays a big role in job satisfaction. You want to reap the rewards for the hard work you’re doing. Your salary can really justify all the hard work you’re doing.

Fulfillment

Fulfillment is something that’s personal to each individual. For some, fulfillment could be doing meaningful work that impacts the community. For others, fulfillment could be hitting sales targets. Either way, fulfillment is one of the vital things for job satisfaction.

Recognition

Being recognised for your hard work is always nice. And often this makes your work much more enjoyable. Being seen by your boss is a sure way to boost job satisfaction.

Top 10 happiest jobs in the UK

Here’s a list of the UK’s top 10 jobs with the highest job satisfaction according to Glassdoor.

1. Corporate recruiter

Job satisfaction: 4.59/5

Median base salary: £46,215

2. HR manager

Job satisfaction: 4.39/5

Median base salary: £48,443

3. Full stack engineer

Job satisfaction: 4.32/5

Median base salary: £47,320

4. HR business partner

Job satisfaction: 4.3/5

Median base salary: £50,000

5. UX designer

Job satisfaction: 4.26/5

Median base salary: £46,382

6. Front end engineer

Job satisfaction: 4.23/5

Median base salary: £43,803

7. Data scientist

Job satisfaction: 4.2/5

Median base salary: £49,449

8. Customer success manager

Job satisfaction: 4.18/5

Median base salary: £41,113

9. Marketing manager

Job satisfaction: 4.17/5

Median base salary: £47,320

10. Mobile engineer

Job satisfaction: 4.13/5

Median base salary: £51,443

Not satisfied?

Are you unsatisfied with your job? There’s no reason to stay in this position. There are thousands of jobs on the market right now. All you have to do is put yourself out there to find a job you love.

To find a new career quickly, browse jobs on the SonicJobs app to find your dream career.

Signs of a toxic work environment

It’s no secret we’re in the midst of The Great Resignation. Record numbers of workers are leaving their jobs in search of better prospects. But new research shows that a toxic work culture is the biggest reason employees are running for the door.

When it comes to finding a life-long career, you can’t flourish in a toxic work environment. You need to be with a company that uplifts and empowers its employees. And one that treats all workers fair and equal. 

11 warning signs you’re in a toxic work environment

Micro-management

Do you constantly feel like your boss is breathing down your neck? Micro-management is a big sign of a toxic workplace. It suggests your manager doesn’t trust you. And without the trust of your manager, how can you move onto higher heights?

Gossip culture

Are you working in a gossip culture? You know, the kind of culture where a few colleagues are always whispering over by the microwave. It’s not fun working amongst gossip and it shows a lack of respect for one another.

High turnover

Are your company doors constantly revolving? When a company can’t keep staff, it’s a huge red flag. It tells you the company is doing something seriously wrong. Whether people are leaving or getting the boot, a high turnover isn’t a good look!

Favouritism

Do certain workers get treated better? Does it seem like some colleagues are simply untouchable? Favouritism is definitely a toxic work trait. Everyone should be treated equally, no matter what their relationship to the manager.

Moving the goalposts

There’s nothing more frustrating than when a goal has been set, but then your manager moves the goalposts. Especially when you’re close to reaching your goal. When a target’s been set, nothing should ever change that.

Rudeness

Do you feel as though you could receive a rude or sarcastic comment from your manager at any time? That’s no way to work. You should always feel safe knowing that you’ll be spoken to with respect at work.

Naming and shaming

Naming and shaming is a cut-throat management technique. It relies on shaming people who have underperformed. The manager hopes this will put other people off from doing the same. But this only leaves people feeling demotivated. Any feedback should always be done privately.

Skipping lunch

Can’t find enough time in the day to have your lunch? Or maybe you’re expected to work through your lunch. This is a big no no! Taking a proper break is vital to your mental health. Plus, you’ll always feel more productive after switching off for 30 minutes.

Work spilling into home life

When your work is invading your home life, it’s time to stop and think. Work should be kept at work. If you let it spill into your home life, you’ll soon experience burnout. 

False promises

Feel like you can’t rely on your boss’ promises? Then you need to draw the line. This sort of behaviour is unfair and isn’t acceptable.

Unrealistic expectations

Does your manager set targets you know you’ll never reach? That’s no way to work. Targets should be achievable. You should feel motivated at the thought of hitting your target.

How to cope with a toxic workplace

Tend to your mental health

Mental health should always be a priority. But this is particularly true when you’re working in a toxic environment. Going to the gym or practising 10 minutes of meditation and breath work can help release any tension.

Stick to your breaks

Your breaks should be non-negotiable. If you don’t want burnout, always make time to switch off throughout the day.

Network

It’s important to have a network of like-minded people you can rely on. Look for like-minded people within your own company. But also use platforms like LinkedIn to network with other people in your industry.

Turn off notifications in the evening

Once you leave the (virtual) office, you should completely switch off. Turn off all notifications and don’t respond to any messages until you’re back at work. It’s important to set boundaries so people know they can’t eat into your personal time.

Talk to your manager

You may have an opportunity to speak with your manager about how you’re feeling. Hopefully they’ll value your opinion and will look for ways to improve the situation.

Leave

Sometimes there’s really no healing the situation. Especially when you can’t even talk to your own boss. If that’s the case, it may be time to find a new job.

There’s no need to suffer

Nobody should ever feel obliged to stay in a toxic work environment. There are plenty of opportunities (now more than ever) to find a new role. And there are plenty of employers that are great to work for. And those are the ones that deserve your time, energy and expertise.

To find an employer you love, browse over half a million vacancies on the SonicJobs app. A new life awaits!

What is minimum wage in the UK?

With so many changes taking place in the world, you may be wondering what’s happening with minimum wage in the UK. It’s important to know if you’re being paid enough. But your minimum wage depends on different things like your age and whether you’re an apprentice. For example, minimum wage for 18 year olds is different to minimum wage for 16 year olds.

So let’s find out what the minimum wage is for you in 2022.

What is national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage is a payment tariff set by the government. It ensures that all UK employers pay their employees a minimum amount per hour. If employers pay less than the minimum wage, it’s a criminal offence.

National minimum wage Vs national living wage

National minimum wage (NMW) is the base rate per hour that all employees are entitled to. In 2016, the national living wage (NLW) was created. It’s set at a higher rate but only workers aged 23 or over are entitled to national living wage.

National minimum wage rates 2022

Age 16-17: £4.81 per hour

Age 18-20: £6.83 per hour

Age 21-22: £9.18 per hour

Age 23+ (NLW): £9.50 per hour

Minimum wage for apprentices 2022

Minimum wage works differently for apprentices. Your age also affects your minimum wage entitlement when you’re an apprentice.

Age 16-18: £4.81 per hour

Age 19+ and in your first year off apprenticeship: £4.81 per hour

Age 19+ and completed your first year of apprenticeship: full national minimum wage for your age

Who is entitled to minimum wage?

All workers of school leaving age are entitled to minimum wage. It doesn’t matter if you’re a full-time or part-time employee. This includes:

  • Part-time workers
  • Disabled workers
  • International workers
  • Labourers
  • Apprentices (see apprentice rates above)
  • Pregnant women
  • Remote workers
  • Offshore workers
  • Temporary workers

How often does minimum wage increase?

Minimum wage increases every year. The government announces new rates for minimum wage. This increase takes effect from April every year.

Should your wage increase each year?

You should only expect your wage to increase every year if you earn minimum wage. If you’re earning more than minimum wage, your employer decides whether or not to increase your wage. They don’t have to do this, but many employers do increase wages by 3% each year.

How to gain a pay rise

Although pay rises should take place to keep up with inflation, this still doesn’t guarantee you an increase. It’s completely your employer’s decision. So you should always be looking for ways to earn your pay rise.

  • Take on new responsibilities
  • Upskill with courses, qualifications and training
  • Make note of any targets you exceed
  • Discuss what you need to do to earn a pay rise with your line manager
  • Start managing people
  • Work on more complex projects
  • Always be punctual
  • Contribute useful ideas that enhance the company performance
  • Use your annual performance review

Plan ahead

It’s always good to know exactly what wage you’re entitled to before applying for a job. This will help you to manage your finances and cover your living costs. But if your job isn’t paying you enough to cover your costs, you should look at finding another job that pays more.

To plan your next career move, download the SonicJobs app and get applying from your phone!

What are the most popular apprenticeships?

Been thinking about doing an apprenticeship? Not sure what’s out there? These days, you can find an apprenticeship for pretty much any job! There are only a few jobs that need a degree. 

Apprenticeships grow more popular every year. And with good reason. It’s a great way to earn while you learn. Not everybody wants to go down the university or college route. Apprenticeships give you an alternative. They teach you the skills and give you hands-on experience.

There are lots of different kinds of apprenticeships. It’s not just engineering and electrician apprenticeships. In today’s blog, we’ll cover the main types of apprenticeships.

Apprenticeship industries

Agriculture, horticulture and animal care

This category includes:

  • Veterinary medicine
  • Environmental conservation
  • Animal training
  • Arboristry
  • Pet care and grooming
  • Ecology
  • Floristry
  • Landscape gardening
  • Pest control
  • Sustainability

Business and administration

  • Project management
  • Sales
  • Management
  • Conveyancing
  • Data protection
  • HR
  • Internal audit
  • Paralegal
  • Solicitor

Construction

  • Architecture
  • Bricklaying
  • Building services engineering
  • Carpentry
  • Civil engineering
  • Plastering
  • Plumbing and heating
  • Electrics
  • Tiling
  • Welding

Creative, media and the arts

  • Advertising 
  • Art therapy
  • Broadcasting
  • Content production
  • Dance
  • Fashion
  • Journalism
  • Marketing
  • PR
  • Silversmithing
  • Sound engineering
  • Storyboarding

Financial services

  • Accounting
  • Actuaries
  • Bookkeeping
  • Compliance and risk management
  • Credit controller
  • Financial advice
  • Mortgages
  • Payroll
  • Pensions 

ICT

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Cyber security
  • Data science
  • Network engineering
  • Software development
  • Software testing
  • Programming

Hair and beauty

  • Beauty therapy
  • Hairdressing
  • Holistic therapy
  • Makeup artistry
  • Nail services

Hospitality and travel

  • Baking
  • Chefing
  • Commercial catering
  • Event planning
  • Hospitality management
  • Hotel management
  • Travel consultancy

Education and training

  • Teaching
  • Nursery care
  • SEN
  • Learning mentor
  • Youth work

What are the best paid apprenticeships?

All apprenticeships are paid. But the pay will vary depending on your age, level and type of apprenticeship.

Here are the salaries for some of the best paid apprenticeships:

  • Management apprenticeship – £26,325 per year
  • Engineering apprenticeship – £23,199
  • Electrician apprenticeship – £17,304

Which apprenticeship is right for you?

Deciding on the right apprenticeship is no easy task. But you shouldn’t base your decision just on money. Think about what you enjoy and what you can see yourself doing for a career. Here are some career questions to get you going:

  • Do you enjoy working on computers?
  • Do you want to be sat in an office?
  • Are you a practical person who enjoys using their hands?
  • Would you like to work in a customer-facing role?
  • What are your strengths?

Earn while you learn

Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to earn a living while gaining skills. Instead of spending 3-5 years in a classroom, you gain real life experience. 

Looking for a job but no experience? Browse thousands of zero experience jobs on the SonicJobs app today!

Is an apprenticeship right for me?

Apprenticeships are a popular choice in the UK. In 2019/2020, there were 719,000 apprentices in England. But it’s not always easy deciding if an apprenticeship is right for you. You need to think ahead and decide what you want to do in life. And what’s the best route to get you there? Should you go to university instead? Can you get the job you want without a degree? This is no easy task. And the answer will be completely unique to each individual. 

In today’s blog, we’re talking everything apprenticeship. Let’s jump right in!

What are apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships are set periods of time where you enroll onto a course of study. But unlike regular study, you also work in the field at the same time. This allows you to earn while you learn. And you gain hands-on experience, developing your skills. Most apprenticeships last 12 months or more. But they can last up to four years depending on your area of study.

There are 4 different levels of apprenticeships: intermediate, advanced, higher and degree level.

Intermediate level (Level 2)

Intermediate apprenticeships are equal to 5 GCSEs grades A to C. The qualification could be an NVQ level 2 or a BTEC. Once completed, you can move onto the advanced level.

Advanced (Level 3)

If you already have 5 GCSEs grades A-C, you can jump straight into the advanced level. You’ll receive an NVQ level 3 or a BTEC qualification. Once completed, you’ll have the equivalent of 2 A levels.

Higher (Levels 4 and 5)

Higher apprenticeships take your skills even further. Once completed, you’ll receive either an NVQ level 4 , a foundation degree, a diploma or a HNC. 

Degree (Levels 6 and 7)

There are jobs that require you to have a degree or equal. Degree level apprenticeships combine university study with work. This allows you to gain hands-on experience while learning. The government or your employer pays for the cost.

Who can do an apprenticeship?

Anybody can enroll onto an apprenticeship so long as you’re not in full-time study. There’s no age limit. In 2019, 47% of new apprentices were age 24 or over. The only requirement is that you’re at least 16 years old. If you’re aged between 16-18, the government will fund your apprenticeship. If you’re over 18, you may need to pay for part (or all) of your apprenticeship. But it’s also possible to find an employer who will fund part (or all) of your qualification.

Types of apprenticeships

People tend to think apprenticeships are just for blue collar work. But these days, there’s an apprenticeship for pretty much anything!

  • Agriculture, horticulture and animal care
  • Arts, media and publishing
  • Business, administration and law
  • Construction, planning and the built environment
  • Digital
  • Education and training
  • Engineering and manufacturing technologies
  • Hair and beauty
  • Health, public services and care
  • Information and communication technology
  • Leisure, travel and tourism
  • Retail and commercial enterprise
  • Science and mathematics
  • Transport and logistics

How much do you earn?

The apprenticeship wage varies depending on your age. You’ll be entitled to a minimum wage, but many employers pay above the minimum.

If you’re aged 16-18, the national minimum wage for apprentices is currently £4.81 per hour. 

If you’re aged 19 or over and in your first year of apprenticeship, you’re entitled to the national minimum wage for apprentices of £4.81 per hour.

If you’re aged 19 or over and in your second year of apprenticeship, you’re entitled to full national minimum wage.

Think the wage sounds low? Just remember, many employers choose to pay above the minimum wage!

Ready to earn while you learn?

Apprenticeships are a great alternative for many reasons. If you don’t want to pay the cost of university tuition fees, an apprenticeship could be a great route. And hey, heavy study isn’t for everyone. If you learn best through doing, apprenticeships are a fantastic route! One of the best places to find apprenticeships is on the government website.

Want to browse zero experience jobs? Search for junior roles on your phone on the SonicJobs app!

What are the top skills that employers want?

Although job skills vary from role to role, there are always certain skills that every employer wants. These are transferable skills that can be used across many jobs. So if you’re looking for a new role, read on to find out how to impress any employer.

  • Communication
  • Enthusiasm
  • Adaptability
  • Organisation
  • IT
  • Leadership
  • Initiative
  • Teamwork
  • Reliability
  • Self-motivation
  • Personal development
  • Critical thinking

How to demonstrate your skills

There are a few different ways you can demonstrate these skills to employers:

  • Interviews – try using the STAR method in interviews to demonstrate your skills
  • CV – be sure to use keywords in your CV to make it pop
  • Cover letter – write a cover letter to add more detail to your application
  • References – provide a professional and character references who can vouch for you

12 transferable CV skills that never go out of fashion

Communication

Having strong communication skills comes in handy for any job. Whether communicating with customers or colleagues, interpersonal skills are key to getting hired. This means listening as well as communicating your ideas clearly.

Enthusiasm

Employers want to hire people who’re excited about their mission. They don’t want people who are there purely for the money. You need to show passion about their products/services. You can show your enthusiasm when the interviewer asks ‘why do you want this job?’. Or you can also show your enthusiasm in your cover letter.

Adaptability

Employers like staff to be flexible in their approach. This means being able to adapt to change. Companies always have moments where they need to change direction. This is only made possible if the right staff are in place! Words like ‘fast learner’ and ‘flexible’ will make your CV stand out.

Organisation

Organisation comes in handy with any type of role. It’s also key to the success of any business. So if a company’s employees are unorganised, you can guarantee this will have a knock-on effect. Good examples of organisation are filing, planning and attention to detail.

IT

Most jobs always need basic IT skills. This can include word processing, using emails, and using programs like Excel and Word. Some jobs may need you to have more advanced IT skills. Be sure to highlight these skills on your CV.

Leadership

Leadership skills are a great asset. This means leading by example and inspiring others to do the same. Companies are always on the lookout for new leaders. These are the people who are going to push the company into new phases of growth. 

Initiative

It doesn’t matter what job you’re applying for, initiative is a must. You can’t always depend on asking your manager for every query.  You need to show you can think for yourself. If you notice something inefficient, find a better solution. Problem-solving is a great example of initiative. You can also show initiative by suggesting new ideas.

Teamwork

Every hiring manager wants to know you can work as part of a team. You’ll always have to work alongside colleagues. So every employer will see teamwork as an asset. Examples of teamwork include collaboration, project work and encouraging others.

Reliability

One of the biggest skills employers look for is reliability. They want to know you’ll turn up to work on time everyday. They need to have confidence that you’ll pour everything into your job. Examples of reliability are time-keeping, honesty and sticking to deadlines.

Self-motivation

It’s important to show employers you’re a proactive type of person. You want them to see you’re a go-getter. They don’t want to hire lazy employees. This will ultimately slow the business operation down and lead to errors. Good CV skills are goal-setting, using a daily planner and task management.

Personal development

Being committed to your own personal development is always a great thing. Employers love staff that are open to feedback. You need to be passionate about developing your skills. And that sometimes means accepting negative feedback.

Critical thinking

Critical thinking is an advantage for any company. Companies can only evolve if people think critically. That means thinking outside the box and looking at things differently. Use words like ‘analytical’ and ‘problem-solving’ to show you’re a critical thinker.

Tap into your potential

It doesn’t matter what job you’re looking for. If you can demonstrate these skills in your interview, the employer will be impressed! Of course, you may need to demonstrate other skills specific to the role. But showing these skills will get you off to a flying start.

Ready for a new role? With SonicJobs, you can tap once to apply for any role. Get applying today!

What to wear to an interview

Working out what to wear to an interview is an important stage of the interview preparation process. And believe us when we say: you CAN get it wrong. If you dress too relaxed, you risk coming off as scruffy and unorganised. If you dress too glamorously, you can come across as ‘too much’. So what’s the balance?

Read on to find out the best interview outfits for women and men!

General rules for interview outfits

If you’re not sure of the dress code, always opt for a more professional look. It’s much better to be overdressed and underdressed at all stages of the interview process. 

  • Polish your shoes
  • Iron your clothes
  • Wear a neat hairstyle
  • Carry a handbag, portfolio or briefcase

Interview outfits for women

Generally speaking, women have more interview outfit options than men. You can opt for trousers and a shirt. Or maybe you’d prefer a skirt or dress.

  • Any skirts or dresses shouldn’t be shorter than just above the knee
  • Only use a light spritz of perfume – don’t drench yourself
  • Don’t wear peep toe shoes or wedges
  • No stilettos – a smaller heel is fine, or even flat shoes
  • Avoid wearing low cut tops
  • No chipped or brightly coloured nail varnish (neutral colours or french manicure are best)
  • Try not to use heavy makeup that you might wear on a night out
  • Always go for tailored trousers, not jeans
  • Try to use a proper handbag rather than a smaller purse

Interview outfits for men

The safest interview outfit option for men is to wear a suit and tie. This is a classic choice – you can’t really go wrong!

  • Avoid wearing a black suit (navy and grey are solid choices)
  • Carry a portfolio or briefcase
  • Don’t wear jeans – this could be a huge red flag for some employers
  • Fashion a neat and combed hairstyle
  • Tidy up your facial hair
  • No shorts – even for a casual interview!
  • Wear a flash of colour to be memorable (ties and handkerchiefs are eye-catching!)

What if the dress code is casual?

Some workplaces have a casual dress code or ‘business casual’. This means less formal than a suit and tie. But more formal than a t-shirt and jeans. Never assume the attire is casual. If you’re unsure, always check the dress code with the employer. If it’s business casual, opt for a ‘smart-casual’ outfit. 

Casual interview outfits

  • Tailored trousers
  • Flat shoes
  • Khakis
  • Polo shirts
  • Button down shirts without a tie
  • Smart jumpers

What is too casual?

Despite the dress code being casual, you can still be too casual. There are still standards to maintain. Here are a few items that are never okay for an interview:

  • Ripped jeans
  • Shorts
  • T-shirts
  • Mini skirts / mini dresses
  • Peep toe shoes
  • Sandals
  • Crop tops
  • Rucksacks
  • Caps and hats

What to wear to a video interview?

It’s easy to assume you can dress casually for a remote interview. But virtual interviews don’t necessarily indicate an informal dress code. You should still dress professionally just as you would for a face to face interview. Only dress casually if the employer tells you it’s business casual.

Look the part

Nailing your interview outfit is important to give a strong first impression. Always try to clarify the dress code before your interview by asking the hiring manager. If you can’t find out, always opt for a smart outfit. Remember, it’s much better to be overdressed than underdressed!

Looking for a career change? Use the SonicJobs app to change careers in record time!

What are hard and soft skills?

When it comes to job hunting, you need to know what the difference is between hard and soft skills. You also need to know  which ones you have to offer. Employers will often have a set criteria of skills they’re looking for in the right candidate. And this will be a balance of both hard and soft skills. Sure, they’ll review these skills in your CV. But they’ll also assess these skills during the interview.

What’s the difference between hard skills vs soft skills?

Hard skills are tangible skills that are easy to quantify and assess. Examples of hard skills are using Excel, customer service and marketing. But soft skills relate to your characteristics and behaviours and aren’t as easy to assess. Examples of soft skills are organisation, leadership and teamwork.

5 ways to showcase your skills to employers

There are different ways you can show your skills to employers. But don’t just pick one of these methods. You should use a combination to get the best results:

  • Portfolio – Create a portfolio to show technical ability
  • CV – List skills in your CV
  • The STAR method – Give examples using the STAR method in an interview. This is particularly useful for competency-based interviews!
  • Interview – Show soft skills throughout the interview

Hard skills examples

Marketing hard skills

Paid advertising

Social media management

Branding

SEO

Engineering

Project management

Mechanical skills

Maths

Welding

Admin

Microsoft excel

Purchasing supplies

Using filing systems

Payroll

Accounting

Balancing accounts

Producing financial statements

Implementing accounting controls

Using software like Xero, QuickBooks

Debtor chasing

Knowledge of tax legislation

Soft skills examples

Marketing soft skills

Creativity

Teamwork

Initiative

Adaptability

Analytical

Engineering

Problem-solving

Forward thinking

Organisation

Critical thinking

Admin

Teamwork

Communication

Organisation

Attention to detail

Prioritisation

Accounting

Organisation

Attention to detail

Analytical

Time management

How to develop your professional skills

You should always be looking for ways to improve your skills throughout your career. Here are a few ways to develop your skillset:

  • Asking your current employer for more responsibilities
  • Shadow other colleagues to learn from them
  • Complete a course
  • Gain a new qualification
  • Request training
  • Offer help to your colleagues

How do employers assess your skills?

Employers use different techniques to assess your skills. Before your interview, find out as much information as possible about the interview style. You don’t want any surprises!

  • 1:1 interviews
  • Group interviews
  • Competency-based questions
  • Role-play
  • Trial shifts
  • Psychometric tests
  • References
  • Practical exams
  • Probation periods

It’s a balancing act

Always remember that it’s never just about one or the other. The best job applicants are those that understand they need a good balance of skills. Not only do they need technical ability, but they also recognise they need the right soft skills too. So when doing your interview prep, always keep both types of skills in mind!

Ready to find a new career? Use the SonicJobs app to manage all your applications from your phone!

The Degrees that Will Pay your Student Debt the Quickest

As the cost of living in the UK continues to increase rapidly year-on-year, those repaying their university loans also find that they are faced with an annual increase in student debt. On average, it takes graduates who actually repay back their student loans in full 29.5 years to complete their repayments. Even so, most graduates never repay their entire student loan, working for 30 years at which point the debt is wiped. 

Sonic Jobs has conducted a study, using the student loans repayment calculator in order to find the university degrees that will pay off student debt the fastest out of all available degrees in the UK. The highest paid career paths based on these degrees were analysed, looking at the average post graduate starting salary for each career, as well as the average salary increase year-on-year. 

Dentistry

Dentistry is the highest paying profession attainable through a degree in the UK. 

With an average starting salary of £59,000, dentists can expect to repay their student loan quicker than any other profession, within 16 years, assuming an average 3% yearly increase in salary. 

Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary medicine also has the scope to achieve a high starting salary, with the possibility of those who choose this career path to earn £52,000 per year within the first year of graduating from university. 

Although this fluctuates depending on what region of the UK vets choose to work in, as well as the size of their practice, those with a veterinary medicine degree could well pay their student loan off within 19 years, 10 years faster than the national average. 

Medicine

The pay grade for those who have studied medicine fluctuated depending on a variety of different factors. As medicine is such a broad career with many different pathways, routes to specialism and initial pay grades, how quickly graduates repay the student debt will differ.

This means that the average salary will differ vastly. On average, the starting salary for those who study medicine is £46,231.5. With an annual wage increase of 3% per year, those within this field can expect to pay their student loan off within 23 years. 

Law

Those who study law in the UK have the potential to attain a starting annual salary of £43,500, although this can be considerably lower, or even much higher, up to £60,000. Looking at the average of £43,500, law graduates can expect to pay their student loan back within 26 years.

Physics and Astronomy

Science-based degrees like physics and astronomy can expect to earn an average of £39,000 when they graduate from university. Although not far above the maximum threshold of 30 years, when student loans are completely written off, physicists and astronomers can expect to pay their student loans off in full within 29 years, a year before the payment deadline is due to expire. 

[Top 5 degrees table]

Other High Paid Degrees

Although these degrees are among the top 10 highest earners in the UK, the fact that the starting salary for each is relatively low, often matching the national average for all degrees, along with the fact that the annual salary rise remains at a relatively low level, none of these degrees will usually pay off their student loan before the 30 year period comes to a close. Chemical Engineering has a higher starting salary than Physics and Astronomy degrees, but due to the annual salary increase stagnating at a lower level than, this means that Physics and Astronomy ultimately ends up paying back a larger amount of the student loan repayments.

As the levels of student loan repayment interest continues to increase, even those earning a higher wage following their graduation will have a tough time ever paying their student loan back in full. 

Lowest Paid UK Degrees 

The lowest paid degrees in the UK still sit beneath the student loan repayment threshold after a five-year period. As all of these degrees do not make £27,295 on average half a decade after graduation, no repayments will be made.

[lowest paid degree table]

Even so, this does not make much of a difference when it comes to student loan repayments. Although a larger amount is paid by the higher paying degrees, aside from the top 5, all other degrees will never fully pay off the full amount of debt, as the 30-year deadline will be met before the debt is repaid.

Less Than 18% of UK Graduates Repay Their Student Debt

With 761,215 people graduating from UK universities annually, the top 5 degrees that have the potential to pay off their student loans in full only make up 42,819 of total graduates, less than 18%. As under a fifth of graduates ever pay their loans off in full, unless you undertake one of the degrees from the top 5 highest paid career paths, you should not worry about debt when comparing one course to another. Ultimately, the end result is that the full amount of debt that you acquire does not reflect the total amount of money you will repay through your student loan deductions, and never until you earn nearly £28,000.