SonicJobs

Hey, Julie here😀 The UK is still in the process of opening back up so I thought I’d better drop by and point out how these changes impact you and your job hunt!

So first off, let’s take a look at which places have recently reopened:

✖Restaurants & pubs – waitress / waiter, server, bartender

✖Non-essential shops – sales assistant, customer service, retail assistant

✖Schools – teaching assistant, administrative assistant

✖Gyms – cleaner, admin assistant, receptionist

In April, catering and hospitality had one of the largest increase in job opportunities. The reopening of these sectors means there’s a whole new world of vacancies for you to choose from. With a bit of luck, they’ll continue to recover and provide more job opportunities 🤞

Which places have been consistently hiring since the start of lockdown?

✖Supermarkets – customer service, cashier, sales assistant, delivery driver

✖Warehouses – picker and packer, warehouse operative, administrator

✖Courier services – multi-drop delivery driver, administrator

Amazon, Hermes and Tesco have consistently been advertising on the SonicJobs app – make sure you keep your eyes peeled for their vacancies!

How can you get the best results from the SonicJobs app?

👉STEP 1 – Make sure you’ve updated your CV with all relevant experience

👉STEP 2 – Tailor your CV to each job you apply for

👉STEP 3 – Make sure your SonicJobs profile includes a photo and is up to date

👉STEP 4 – Check in daily to view the latest vacancies

👉STEP 5 – Don’t put all your eggs in one basket! Keep applying for multiple jobs to keep your options open

I’m rooting for you all the way. If you’re feeling disheartened, just remember: brighter days are coming🌞

Take care for now friend,

Julie💜

Hey 👋 Hope you’re doing well? Do you know that feeling when you set aside a whole day to apply for jobs but never end up getting any interviews? Sound familiar?

Well, I thought I’d better swoop in with some tangible advice that’s going to help you land your next role.

No, really – this advice is crucial so take note!

Applying for jobs once a week is great but do you know what’s even better?…

…Applying for jobs DAILY ⏰

Yep, that’s right. People who apply for jobs daily are much more likely to find a job quicker than those who don’t.

Advantages of applying for jobs daily:

👉Be the first to apply to the latest vacancies

👉Don’t miss any vacancies that are filled and removed quickly

👉Keeps the momentum going with a constant supply of new leads

👉Easy to manage instead of leaving a stack of job applications to complete in one day

Benefits of using SonicJobs to apply for roles:

⭐Apply with 1 tap of a button (easy peasy)

⭐No long application forms

⭐You’re not redirected to any external sites

⭐Employers can message you directly on the app

⭐New vacancies added daily

So what’s the key takeaway here? 

The takeaway is this: take daily action with your job applications.

Plan in 15 minutes a day where you sit down and apply for new roles over a cuppa ☕ Using our app makes applying for jobs so simple and painless!

So let’s get cracking!
Julie 💜

Hey, it’s Julie 👋 Do you students ever feel like you’re burning the candle at both ends? It’s tough managing your studies whilst working a job, right? But there are a few steps you can take to help things run a little smoother…

👉Get clear on your deadlines

The very first thing you need to do is create a list of all your upcoming deadlines and exam dates. You don’t want important dates to creep up on you out of nowhere – that’s a sure way to throw you off your A game.

👉Create a timetable 

One of the most effective ways for managing your workload is by breaking it down into sections and creating a timetable for completing it all. This way, everything is much more achievable.

👉Reduce your hours during exam period

Exam period isn’t the best time to be putting in overtime at work. Take some of the stress away by reducing your hours so you can focus. But don’t forget to give your boss advance notice so they have plenty of time to find a replacement.

👉Help your colleagues

When your colleagues can’t make it to work, help them out by swapping shifts. The next time you need to study instead of work, they’ll likely return the favour.

👉Use your commute

How many hours do you lose during your commute? Let me rephrase that: how many hours of study could you gain from your commute? Whether it’s reading a chapter of a book, or listening to lecture recordings, your daily commute can soon stack up to hours of study! 

Good luck in your exams!

Julie 💜
Ps. Looking for part-time work? We have lots of part-time vacancies live right now 🔥📲

Hey you! How’s that job hunt going? This week I want to help you answer one of THE most important interview questions: Why are you interested in this job?

The point of this question is to show why you like this company in particular, and that you’re genuinely passionate about the work on offer.

So to get started, let’s look at some of the worst ways to answer this question:

• …because of the salary
• …because it’s close to home
• …because they have great perks
• …because of the hours

None of the above answers show you’re genuinely interested in the role or company and are red flags 🚩for employers. 

To really nail this question, focus your answer around these 2 elements:

👉THE COMPANY

• Do you like the company values / culture?
• Does the company have a good reputation?
• Do they provide longer-term career opportunities?

👉THE ROLE

• Does the product/service relate to your personal interests?
• What are the main qualities needed for this role and do you have those attributes?
• Have you got any previous experience in parts of the role that you enjoyed?
• Do you know anybody that has done similar work and has recommended it?

Example: Why do you want this cleaning job?

‘I’ve always been a very meticulous person paying attention to detail. In my home, everything is always organised and clean, and I find it really therapeutic! I also like that your company comes across as very professional and seems to have high standards.’

Remember, employers want to hire people who are enthusiastic and reliable. They want YOU to fill them with confidence 🤩

Catch you guys next week!

Julie 💜
Ps. New vacancies in retail are now live 🔥

Whether you already work in customer service or you’re in the process of applying for jobs, it’s good to know exactly what it takes to nail this line of work.

Let’s take a look at the different ways to stand out as a customer service rep… (and remember, you can use these points as interview answers!)

🌟Building rapport

In a world where there’s fierce competition in any line of work, personable customer service is what counts and keeps customers coming back for more. Addressing the customer by their first name and making small talk are great ways to be personable

🌟Listening

Listening really is key in customer service. Take the time to understand the customer’s needs before identifying the best possible solution.

🌟Smiling and using open body language

If you’re in face-to-face customer service, using open body language and eye contact helps engage your customers. Even if you’re on the phones, customers can still hear when you smile!

🌟Knowing your product / service

Knowing your product inside-out really is the foundation of great customer service. Being able to accurately answer your customers’ questions and point them in the right direction are signs of a first-class service.

🌟Apologising for any delays

Whether customers have been waiting in a queue in-person or have been on hold on the phone, always apologise for any delays and thank them for their patience.

🌟Cross-selling products / services

Customers rely on you to be the fountain of knowledge. So if you feel another product would complement their purchase, always point this out.

Fancy working in customer service? With shops reopening, we’re adding new customer service roles daily🔥

Good luck!

Julie 💜

Morning! Julie here👋

Does anyone else feel like cleaning work gets a bad rep? Okay, it might not be your life’s passion, but I’m not saying it has to be. Cleaning could be a great ‘go-between’ job to help pay your bills while you work towards your long-term career aims.

What’s there to enjoy about cleaning?

🧹Active work

Between all the scrubbing and bending, cleaning is a sure way to keep fit at work.

🧹Introvert-friendly 

Not a fan of small talk or teamwork? Cleaning is a fuss-free solo job.

🧹No micro-management

Cleaners don’t have a boss breathing down their neck every step of the way. For the most part, you’re left to your own devices.

🧹Change of scenery

Cleaners are always moving around from place to place which is better than staring at blank walls all day.

🧹High levels of satisfaction

Many cleaners say how much they enjoy the transformation turning messy spaces into clean, zen dens.

🧹Minimal admin

Not a fan of paperwork and computers? You don’t have to worry about that with cleaning… minimal admin involved!

🧹Stress-free

Enjoy a better work-life balance with cleaning. Generally speaking, it isn’t a high-stress job and doesn’t take up too much mental space. 

🧹Podcast-friendly

There’s nothing stopping you from listening to a motivational podcast while you clean away. Cleaning while working on your personal development – multitasking at its finest!

So what do you think? Ready to whip out your marigolds? Check out our vacancies to find cleaning work near you 🧽🧹

Ciao for now,

Julie 💜

Hey! Julie here 👋 We all have dreams and ambitions, right? But sometimes we’re forced to take jobs that don’t line up with our career aspirations (especially in today’s world).

How does that make you feel?

Frustrated? Deflated? Disheartened? Demotivated?

It’s understandable why you’d feel that way. But you don’t have to. There are a few things I want you to remember whilst you’re working in a job that isn’t your dream job (or applying for them):

💡Every experience is valuable

It doesn’t matter if you’re not in your dream job just yet. Every job provides a platform for you to learn and better yourself. Any job could be the stepping stone into your dream career.

💡Get to know your colleagues

There’s always an opportunity for you to meet amazing people and hear their stories. You never know what you’ll learn from a colleague or how they’ll inspire you.

💡Embrace the mental space

If you’re not working your dream job, you might be working a role that isn’t too taxing on your mental space. Enjoy having the ability to switch off from work after your shift.

💡This is temporary

Always remember this is a temporary situation and is just part of your journey. Life is full of ups and downs, and the road to success is never a straight one.

💡Network

Be sure to build strong relationships at work. You never know who you’ll meet and what doors they’ll open for you.

💡Keep upskilling yourself

Don’t let your skills fall to the wayside. Use this time to keep building on your skillset. When the perfect role comes along, you’ll be ready to pounce!

Stay positive and trust the process,

Julie💜
Ps. We add new jobs everyday. Remember to browse our vacancies daily! 📲

Hey! Julie here 👋 When it comes to picking your career, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach. What works for one person doesn’t always work for someone else.

Understanding your personality type can help to choose the right career path. Here are some examples…

⚽The competitives

If you love to win and play competitive sports, chances are you’d enjoy sales! But bear in mind that sales is a people-facing role so you’ll need to be a people-person too.

🎨The creatives

Are you in your element when you’re getting creative? Do you love to draw, paint or act? If so, you could be suited to a career in Marketing. Marketeers are always thinking of innovative campaigns to break the mould.

🔎The ‘It’s all in the detail’ people

Are you a triple-checker? Do you have an eye for detail and aren’t afraid of research? If that sounds like you, a career in Admin, Project Management or even Accounts could be right for you.

💻The tech heads

Are you a computer whizz? Do you go crazy for gadgets? Then perhaps you’d flourish in a career in tech. Think IT Technician, Software Developer, Technical Support...

🔨The practical kind

Do you consider yourself handy? Could you assemble an IKEA flat pack in no time at all? If that’s you, a career in carpentry, maintenance or construction could be right up your alley!

When picking your long-term career, think about what you enjoy and not just what pays well.

Do you see yourself in any of these personality types? Let me know in the comments 👇

Happy job-hunting!

Julie 💜

Ps. Jobs in IT, Marketing, Sales & Admin all available on our app now! 😊

Hey! It’s Julie 😊 We’ve got a lot to cover in today’s blog, so I’m just going to dive straight into some of the most common Admin interview questions!

📌What skills can you bring to the role?

Talk about both soft and hard skills. Some of the main skills admin roles look for are organisation, attention to detail, computer and teamwork.

📌Tell me about a time where you demonstrated excellent organisational skills.

Admin Assistants need to have the very best organisational skills. These are all examples of great organisation:

👉Digital folders

👉Paper filing systems

👉Colour coding

👉Categorising

👉Using planners, calendars

👉Setting reminders

📌Talk about a time where you’ve shown great attention to detail.

There’s a lot of room for error in Admin. So it’s super important you show you’ve got a keen eye for detail. Can you talk about a complex project that required careful thought and triple-checking your work?

📌What computer skills do you have?

Show the employer that you’re confident using computers and getting to know new programs. You can talk about touch-typing, using Word, Excel and Powerpoint, and being able to pick up new types of software.

📌How do you work within a team?

Admin work often involves teamwork. Give an example of when you worked as part of a team to achieve a common goal. How did you split the workload? What problems did you overcome? What was the end result?

📌When have you worked under pressure? 

Sometimes you might be snowed under with work. What’s important is being able to prioritise your workload, remaining calm, and having the initiative to ask for help when necessary.

Are you interested in Admin work? Be sure to check out our latest vacancies for Administrative Assistants!📲

Speak soon!

Julie 💜

Hey, Julie here 😊 How’re you doing? Great question. People think that just because furlough is available, they won’t be made redundant. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. You can still be made redundant even though furlough is available. Let’s take a closer look at the rules…

Furlough vs redundancy

🔹Furlough is available until the end of September

🔹Employers don’t have to put you on furlough

🔹Employers have the right to make you redundant instead of furloughing you

🔹Employers can make you redundant even whilst you’re on furlough

Warning signs of redundancy

🔸Significant changes to the business strategy i.e. removing an entire department

🔸Restructuring

🔸A large decrease in workload

🔸Your boss begins to micromanage you

🔸Extreme cost-cutting

🔸Others have been made redundant

How to prevent redundancy

🔹Offer your skills in different areas of the business

🔹Be a reliable employee

🔹Go above and beyond in your work

🔹Proactively contribute new ideas

What to do if you’ve been made redundant

🔸Consider applying for Universal Credit

🔸Update your CV

🔸Start applying for jobs daily

🔸Create a budget

If you’re facing redundancy, remember we’re here to support you. We add new vacancies everyday, so make sure you’re checking in daily and applying for new roles! 📲

Take care for now,

Julie 💜
P.s.Do you know someone who’s been made redundant? Share the SonicJobs app with them to help them in their search 💌