What is required to be good at your job?



Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 In my opinion if you want to be effective at work and good at the job you do, the key element is that you do a job you enjoy!

It really is that simple!

During my life I have worked for many employers, doing many different tasks - overall I have always picked jobs that I look forward to doing.

It makes it easier if you enjoy work to put the extra effort into your work and in turn you are a more successful employee.
It doesn't make any sense to me to put yourself into a job in which you will be miserable and not enjoy...

Even if the money is great, you will be regret having to go to work each day because it will seem to drag on and on...

If I were to be offered two jobs at once, one that has a larger salary but the other I would enjoy more, I would (and have done in the past) take the role that would offer the higher job satisfaction.

In the past I have had jobs as dull as sticking labels on bottles, scanning books, answering telephones, and putting leaflets in envelopes - I have always found these jobs were so mundane that I always looked for a way to get out of doing them!


However, in my current customer service role, I totally enjoy doing my job! As a result I find myself really pushing myself professionally - which makes me better at the job I do!
 

I've even had feedback from somebody from our head office - they received an email from a customer who was pleased with my customer service they wrote in and commented...

I was happy enough with the praise I received from my manager, however the £25 vouchers I received to thank me was especially rewarding!

So to sum up, in my opinion if you wish to be better at your job, make sure you land a job you really enjoy!

Good luck if you are looking for a job!

- Thelittlerich

Not blogged in a while...

Hey folks, I am still alive. I admit I've not blogged in quite some time...
I haven't really got any decent reason as to why I haven't put digital pen to digital paper. To be honest, I've just not felt inspired to write much lately.

I have had a few half-ideas for subjects to write about, but the enthusiasm to follow through, research into the subject, find or take pictures and then put it all together in a nice blog has not been flowing...

I can't even blame lack of events going on in my life - since my last blog we've had Dominic's birthday, his birthday party, some job search stuff, the start of our healthy eating drive and today is Jan's birthday...

So if I think about it, I have had a lot to write about... I promise to try and get back into blogging!

- Thelittlerich

How can you improve your chances of getting a job?

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I am currently unemployed, have been for a while, and am trying to get back into work...
I know that I am not alone in my quest for a new job - there are ever increasing unemployment figures provided by the government shows more and more people are out of work.

I thought that I would share some of my job-search techniques and suggestions with you. 
Please share your suggestions in the comment box below of anything else you are doing or suggest doing to try and get a job!

Asking in shops

Most of the time a shop will display any vacancies on their window or door, and you can ask inside for an application form. 
Even if they are not displaying a vacancy, it is always an idea to ask anyway. They may be about to start a recruitment drive, and by showing initiative you could be ahead of the game.

If you are asking in shops, it's always a good idea to have copies of your CV with you, which you can leave with them.

Recruitment / temping agencies

Agency work can be a good approach if you are unsure as to where you want to work, as you tend to get various assignments in different companies. 
Although this gives you a chance to work for different companies, get lots of various experience and help to improve your CV, it can be a very hit or miss approach to gaining solid employment.
You may end up working long term contracts or short term, and occasionally the agency can't find work for you.
I have also found that some recruitment agencies are all too happy to enroll you and add your details to their list but fail to provide you with any work at all.

Job centre

If you are claiming benefits whilst unemployed, the chances are you will need to visit the job centre every fortnight to sign on. Whilst there, it's always worth taking some time and looking through the job points for any suitable jobs. You can print the details out and apply for them when you have the chance.

Asking friends and family

If you have friends or family who have a job, ask them to listen out and inform you of any vacancies in their work place. 
Not only does it show to them you are really trying to find a job, you will probably earn their respect and support more than by not asking them.

I would advise that if they recommend you to their employer, make sure you present yourself well at any interviews and work hard if you get the job. Remember: your performance will reflect on the friend or family member who recommended you.

I would also suggest that even if the job is completely unsuitable, remember to show appreciation for their help.

Online job search

There are literally millions of online job search websites available nowadays that allow you to look for vacancies by whatever criteria you wish to use.
You can usually search by location, job category, distance, salary or other options to find jobs that are suitable and relevant to you.
Many job sites now offer the option to register with them and upload your CV, and they will match your skills and requirements with jobs advertised.

Some social networking sites are also being used to post local area job vacancies. As an example, Darlington jobs are posted on the Darlington area Job vacancies page on Facebook. (You will need to have a facebook account to use this page).

Personally I find this can be a bit hit or miss, as some of the jobs sent to you are only slightly related to ones you have shown an interest in. You also tend to receive a lot of emails from each job search site you may not be interested in.

Contacting former work colleagues

If you still have a good connection to people you have previously worked for, it might be worth asking them to keep you informed of any vacancies available. 
This option always has certain considerations to take into mind: Why are you not working for that company any more?
If you quit and left on good terms or were made redundant for example, you may be able to get another job at your previous company.
The benefits are you already know the people who work there, you know what the job involves and what the company does.
(Obviously, if you have been fired from a previous job for negative reasons, it might be unwise to try and apply for another job there).

Prospective emailing companies in your industry

Even if no jobs have been advertised, it can be worthwhile writing a covering letter and emailing it with a CV to companies that are in the industry you are trying to get a job in.

Although you are likely to receive a fair amount of replies telling you there are no vacancies, some companies will keep your details on their records and contact you should a vacancy become available.

Sometimes however, this approach really pays off. I have recently tried this approach, and sent my CV to somebody who wasn't thinking about taking on anybody until they received my CV and covering letter. This led on to a discussion with him about a vacancy he hadn't thought about until he received my email! As soon as he is ready to take me on, I have the job!

Write a blog about yourself and email it to companies.

If you feel you have an interesting story about your career path, you might be inclined to write about it. By writing it as an article or blog, you can be more personal about it, and have the chance to explain what you did in a way that exposes more of your personality to potential employers than a simple covering letter and CV can.
You can then include the link to your article / blog if it seems appropriate in a covering letter to any potential employers.
Although I suggest making the article / blog more personal to yourself, remember to keep it professional too. If your article includes bad spelling, grammar and punctuation you are more likely to put off any potential employers.

As an example of this, read my blog: A brief history of Richard M Stewart.

Approaching people in the street.

If you walk about during a busy time of day (such as during rush hour or lunch time), you might be able to spot people who you can approach and ask if the company they work for has any vacancies. 
Depending on who you approach, they may be able to either give you a business card to contact the company they work for, or possibly even take your CV into their work and put it forward for you.

The good thing about this approach is if you are looking for a job in a certain location you have a high chance of meeting people who work for businesses in that area.

The downside of course is that by giving your CV to a complete stranger. They may not put it forward for you, and in worst cases may use your personal details for fraud. I will admit I have never tried this approach.

Post an advert in local publications or notice boards.

If you are looking for a job within a certain area, you could always post an advert on a notice board or local publications.
Most news agents and supermarkets have an area in which they place customer adverts. It might be worth posting a looking for work advert in these places.

Set up a website about yourself.

Even if you are not particularly technical, you can easily create a website about yourself for the purposes of searching for a job.
Many web hosting companies offer a free package that will allow you to have a fairly simple but interesting website created using templates they provide.
If you create a website, however, make sure you do not post any personal details such as address or bank details. A telephone / mobile number is a possibility, but take into account people may look at your website 24 hours a day and contact you at all hours. I would recommend supplying an email address for people to contacting you and ask for further information.

Create a video about yourself and post it online.

With sites such as Youtube becoming far more popular, you could use video to sell yourself.
If you are looking for performance related jobs; video production work, dance related jobs or perhaps unusual artistic jobs (a circus performer perhaps?!) perhaps a video of you showing your skills would be relevant to send to potential employers.

This list is by no means everything you can do when searching for a job. If you have any other ideas you feel I have missed, please leave your comments below!

- TheLittlerich

A brief history of Richard M Stewart

Born survivor

Born in Glasgow in 1981 with major heart problems, Richard

fought his early days for survival.

It was as he grew up with constant hospital visits and heart operations, Richard realised he wasn't kit out to be a physical child, and running about, football and sports activities that most children participate in were replaced with computers, gaming and video editing.

Having moved to Cambridge at an early age, Richard was always interested in new technology and computers, and discovered a natural interest in video production when, at 11, he was given the chance to play with the family camcorder.

Richard became the main person in the family who dealt with all video projects, from documenting family christmases and holidays, to filming birthdays and other events.

It was no surprise that a keen interest in film making soon caught Richard, and his earliest pair of films, Attack of the Killer Teddies really captivated his interest in how a film could be recorded and put together.

Starting a career in TV

In 1998, at the age of 17, Richard heard about a local cable TV channel, Cambridge RedTV.

Starting in Cambridge, RedTV was recruiting

volunteers to help make television programmes.

Armed with an application form and a carrier bag full of

home-made portfolio tapes, Richard approached RedTV to see if he could become involved.

He was introduced to Harriet Wallace (who went onto produce Big Breakfast and Watercolour Challenge, amongst other things), given a tour of the building and then asked if he wanted to help on with the broadcast of the RedTV's flagship programme, 528.

Of course, he accepted, and the result was his first television credit EVER: Executive Producer.

Richard's career in television had immediately started, and over the next four years Richard worked for RedTV (completely voluntary!), gaining as much experience and insight into television as he could.

Filming, editing, presenting, graphic design, titles, programme development, vision mixing and broadcasting were all part of the hands-on skills Richard learned.

Often, Richard was given the responsibility of keeping the channel on air, running to schedule, vision mixing and presenting (quite often in the same shift!).

In 2000, Richard was one of four key personnel who helped RedTV at their biggest production ever – an attempt to break the Guinness Record for the Longest live TV broadcast - This meant 18 days of 24/7, completely LIVE broadcasting!

Alas, the record was not officially recorded by Guinness but internally everyone involved knew what they had achieved!

Over the next few years, Richard continued working at RedTV as well as working for other companies, including The Warehouse, a live internet broadcasting house who broadcast live events every weekend. 

His roles involved setting up the network, attending live events and filming / web streaming them online for others to see.

Back to his roots

In late 2003, Richard decided to relocate to his birthplace, Glasgow.

It was during his time working within various temporary office jobs that he discovered the

Glasgow Metropolitan College, and applied for the HNC course to study Television Production and

Operations.

However, with the amount of experience already under his belt, he was accepted straight onto the HND course, and spent the next two years learning the full process of television production, from initial programme concept  through the entire production process, post-production and delivery.

At the Glasgow Metropolitan, Richard was given hands-on training in many different roles within television. 

Training in the first year included camera operations, lighting directing, sound recording, sound dubbing mixing and editing, using Final Cut Pro.

During the first year of his course, Richard shot, edited and directed a 7 minute documentary called "Room 2 Talk" about internet chat rooms, which was nominated for an award.

On the second year, as well as learning editing on Avid, more studio work was introduced, and his roles varied from floor manager and dolly grip to director, production assistant and producer.

During the second year of his course, Richard directed two projects, a short narrative entitled The Cycle of Love and a corporate video about the TV courses, Making TV at The Met.

The latter production was actually used by the college as their promotional DVD for prospective students!

Working for a National broadcaster in Scotland

Having proved in college how much enthusiasm Richard had for the industry really paid off.

After an informal discussion with the head lecturer of the TV course (who was a former employee within the industry), Richard was head hunted by Scottish Television!

Initially this role was a two-week trial within the audio department, however Richard keenly proved himself and was soon working as a VT Assistant, alongside seasoned editors with credits including Fun House, Finders Keepers, Take the High Road, High Times, How2 and Taggart.

As well as assisting with stv's daily promotions, Richard worked on a huge variety of different productions, including Taggart, Rebus, The Making of Rebus, Scotsport, various Setanta football programmes and many, many others.

A position within stv opened, and Richard started working in the transmission area of Setanta Sports, which covered broadcasting of Setanta Sports 1 and 2, Rangers TV and Celtic TV.

Another position opened up within stv to work on Scotland On TV, one of stv's Scottish themed video based websites.

It was here that Richard gained a huge amount of practical experience working with a new media environment.

Over the next two years, the New Media department grew significantly. Richard found his role continued to be extended to include filming and editing new and repackaging broadcast media for the web, seeding content to relative online sources and management of the archival process to store the edited video and data.

Richard was also involved in the initial development of the STV player - an in-house developed catch up service that rivals the iPlayer, 4OD, ITV Player, Sky Player and other online catchup services.

The future?
In Janurary 2010, Richard relocated to Darlington, and is currently seeking an exciting new challenge.

If there are any video production companies or visual businesses who are looking to hire a motivated, enthusiastic individual with the flexibility to work in a variety of media formats, please email Richard on richardmstewart@live.com

I can provide a portfolio of past work and current CV.

Thank you!

- Thelittlerich.