WiPJobs Recruitment

Writer Giannis Piotopoulos @WiPjobs Recruitment

We live in a time of great professional instability and insecurity, where demands in most professions are increased. These facts often make the boundaries between professional and personal life blurred and as a result, many people feel that it is difficult to find a balance in these areas.

1. Set limits on your behavior

You need to be clear in your mind what your job requires of you. It is quite different to be willing to work extra hours in order to complete a project assigned to you by your supervisor or to help a colleague who may need help, and it is quite different to be considered a person without personality who will sacrifice himself for others, thus victimizing yourself and being exploited by others. Even within a family or a relationship, it is good to define your roles and responsibilities. Know what to expect from you.

2. Don’t forget your social life

Nowadays, people spend a lot of time studying or pursuing a career, resulting in years without a satisfying relationship. I understand that for some people, studying or a successful career may be a priority. It is very respectful, but we must not forget that we must also get energy from different sources; otherwise, we will be exhausted. Put into your life the contact with other people. Start an activity that will help you socialize and bring you in contact with other people; this will make it much easier to balance your career and personal life.

3. Communication is the keyword!

There will certainly be a time when a personal event will affect your work and vice versa. Feel free to communicate and share what is happening to you. Ask for time and understanding. Genuine communication and well-meaning intent will be appreciated and will create better conditions for yourself but will also ensure an environment that provides you with peace of mind and support.

As mentioned above, it is difficult to balance work and personal life, so try to be well-organized and enjoy what you are experiencing. Small imbalances will always exist, so learn to overcome them. This effort to balance is ongoing; it is a big part of life itself.

4. Find time for fun 

Positive emotions are contagious and help us to become more resourceful, flexible and open-minded to solve problems more effectively. Even if you’re not in the mood for fun at work or at home, it’s important to try to introduce fun activities in both environments because it’s a proven effective tactic!

5. Personal time

Research shows that enjoying some personal time and space is important for our well-being and offers multiple benefits to our environment. And it doesn’t even have to be a lot. For example, ten minutes of concentration or twenty minutes of exercise a day can make a significant difference to your energy levels, your emotional state and your ability to adapt to circumstances. Incorporate an activity you enjoy or a hobby into your weekly schedule, even if it’s only one hour a week.

6. To balance it out, establish time without mobile or email

No matter how responsible a position you hold in a business or company, you can surely find at least a few minutes in the day or week in which you can live in a “communication block” from your work.

Unless you’re a cardiac surgeon or intensivist tasked with a serious case, it’s safe to say that you can put your smartphone on silent for 20-30 minutes and devote yourself to your partner, your child, your favorite TV show, your food, walking your dog, taking a nap, or whatever everyone enjoys… In silence, no vibration.

WiPJobs Recruitment

Writer Giannis Piotopoulos @WiPjobs Recruitment

Performing acts of kindness in the workplace isn’t just something that’s nice to do—being kind in the workplace builds connections and contributes to a better organizational culture. And a strong company culture leads to higher employee engagement, increased job satisfaction, and even improved bottom-line results.

1. Respect common spaces and objects

Working in an office often means sharing space with others. Many offices have a shared kitchen or at least a shared fridge for snacks and drinks. Don’t be the one to take someone else’s food. Also, clean up after you’re done. If you use the printer, stapler, conference room, or other office supplies and common areas, be respectful. Leave them as you found them. Respect is the foundation of harmonious coexistence, it is a culture, and yes, in many modern, mostly multinational companies, it can be enforced by internal operating rules.

2. Be aware of how others work 

Some people like to work with excessively loud music. Others may need absolute silence to concentrate. In an open-plan office, people work differently. If you’re going to listen to music, use headphones with sound-cancelling technology. Adaptability has always been a very useful skill as it helps you to successfully adapt to the constant, but also ever-changing demands and conditions of the work environment. Do not overlook the need to accept diversity. Understanding, sensitivity, and receptiveness to difference will add points to your personality since different cultures, customs, and attitudes are now visible and harmoniously co-existing in any modern business.

3. Be aware of non-verbal signs 

You may be surprised at how much your facial expressions, body language, and hand movements can convey to others. Your facial expressions, a grimace, and a smirk play a huge role in how others perceive you. Anything from posture to a furrowed brow is a form of communication. Stand up, smile, and if necessary act. The first impression formed about a person is always there. Memory is strong, especially when it comes to faces, and it often seems to be stronger when it comes to attitudes. That is, it is likely to store a behavior rather than the physical characteristics of a person. Also, memory emphasizes negative characteristics. We are more likely to remember an unreliable person with their corresponding unreliable behavior than a trustworthy or a good and kind person.

4. Be polite and professional in all forms of communication 

It doesn’t matter if you meet someone face-to-face, over the phone, by email, and, most recently, by video conference. Every interaction should be characterized by professionalism, responsibility, and corporate consciousness. When communicating via text messages, disregard tone of voice, facial expressions, and the non-verbal cues that accompany them. Remember this convention every time you write an email, so make them short and clear, and don’t send anything you wouldn’t say in person. Communication should be open, clear and adhere to the rule of clarity. But the dominant role in a team is played by honest and polite communication.

5. Remove your mobile phone 

We are attached to our phones, tablets, and computers and yes it is very difficult to disconnect. However, there are times when being preoccupied with your phone is offensive and also non-functional. Engaging with your phone during a meeting clearly shows rudeness. Checking your social media in front of a client shows a poor image of your company and you will likely lose the client and your business. It’s impossible to give someone your full attention when you’re distracted by your phone.

6. Ask questions – show availability

Consider starting your questions with “Could you…/ is it possible to…/ what would you say if…”.  As for availability, it goes without saying that you don’t have to answer emails at 2 am. Burnout is never a very good idea and I clearly refute it. But if a new project presents itself (and it’s not far from your expertise), offer to take it on or help out. More generally, be willing to take on responsibilities or help, certainly setting boundaries that will offer and delineate healthy and honest relationships with your colleagues with mutual respect and appreciation.

WiPJobs Recruitment

Writer Giannis Piotopoulos @WiPjobs Recruitment

Soft skills are a set of skills that every employee should have, regardless of the job they hold. They are personality traits of an individual that carry over and adapt to any environment they find themselves in and are what define them and set them apart from other employees, making them, and their CV, unique.

Analysis and problem-solving

It is about identifying the most important parameters in complex problems and finding creative and practical solutions to each of them. Problem-solving is a methodology that may seem mechanical, but it is a highly creative process. With simple steps (analyzing the problem, listing possible solutions, selecting, implementing, and evaluating the best solution) you can create the best possible conditions for a business to operate effectively.

Communicative skills

It is not a given that everyone can express themselves accurately and clearly in spoken or written language. In every part of everyday life, and especially at work, every worker must have the ability to convey his or her message effectively, adapting his or her style and expressiveness to the situation. From drafting an e-mail and writing a comprehensive report to giving a detailed presentation to a small or large audience, today’s employee must be able to convey his or her message in a thorough, clear, and targeted manner. Depending on your job role, communication skills (written or verbal) will help you to be more effective in your work and achieve the objectives required by your role e.g. customer development, account manager, secretarial support, sales, etc.

Task priority

The obligations in the work environment are endless, which causes confusion, stress and ultimately reduced performance. However, prioritising tasks correctly and demonstrating flexibility in organising work in an efficient manner is a very important skill that an employer looks for to ensure the effective running of their business. Find the most important responsibilities each day and organise your time accordingly.

Pressure control

Admittedly, the skill of pressure management is one of the most difficult skills. In the environment of any modern company, responsibilities are numerous and time pressure is almost a daily occurrence. Demonstrating efficiency, even if the workload is heavy, and dealing with problems in a positive way are paramount skills for you who want to stand out in a team.

Team spirit

“Teamwork makes the dream work” – no accident. The ability to work with others within a team at different organizational levels and respecting the individuality of each person in the team are very important skills to have. Each person in the team is a unique piece and together they all make up a unique result. Learn to identify the uniqueness of each team member and work effectively with them.

Leadership

Everyone wants to lead, but few know how to do it right. The ability to manage, develop and encourage human resources for maximum performance is a part of every leader’s personality. In addition, being able to take responsibility as well as the initiative to deliver a high-level project within set deadlines are special skills for those who want to develop their career.

Creativity

“Think out of the box”, or find the innovation! It is not enough to just implement what is asked of you but to be able to do it creatively. Put a unique, your own, twist on everything you do and look for creative ways to make your work stand out. This will, after all, show who you are and what you can really do.

The working environment and the demands on candidates have been changing rapidly in recent years and soft skills – professional skills – are becoming more important in the recruitment process of companies. Employers are no longer looking not only for academic knowledge and experience in a particular industry but also for a range of skills that will contribute to the appropriate selection of human resources.

WiPJobs Recruitment

Writer Giannis Piotopoulos @WiPjobs Recruitment

For several years now, the changes that have taken place at work have been impressive. Some of the occupations that used to exist have ‘disappeared’ and new ones have ‘appeared’ in their place, playing an important role in our daily lives. The occupations of the future are mainly in the technology and business sectors, but there is also a strong increase in creative occupations, especially digital ones. Traditional jobs have been shown to have undergone drastic changes over the years, while innovations can even affect today’s professions. So what does the future hold in terms of careers, given the new wave of technology that lies ahead of us?

Software Developers

They are, and will remain for a long time, valuable professionals in the market. They are part of the team that creates new systems to automate processes. Without programmers, this era of technology would not be in full swing today. They analyze, understand, execute, and maintain platforms and write the code that creates businesses and services.

Business Analyst – Economic and business analyst

The field of finance and business administration includes many professions of the future with very good and immediate rehabilitation across the business sector, in organizations, institutions, NGOs, and the public sector. One of these professions is the business analyst, an analyst who combines financial and business knowledge but also has data analysis skills.

Videographers & Video Editors 

Videos are included in the content of most websites, social media, and e-shops and dominate the digital world. As video content has skyrocketed, with social networks copying tiktok’s discovery engine and introducing reels to their platforms, videographers and video editors have become sought after and are included in the top professions of the future.

Content Creators on The Web

These professionals are already popular and will remain so for years to come. These are the people who create content online – also known as digital influencers. A creator is a “wizard” when it comes to social media, especially Instagram. The success of these professionals can be explained by the fact that people today want to connect more with real people rather than brands. However, brands around the world are already aware of this and are increasingly exploring partnerships with online influencers.

Online Teacher 

A major trend in the professions of the future is online teaching – which with the pandemic has been chosen by many. And teachers are beginning to realize the potential of the online classroom, which allows them to reach more students. This is a trump card for professionals looking to grow their knowledge business with the online course market becoming more and more specialized and spreading globally.

Personal Trainer 

Now that social media is increasingly influencing body image, the demand for people who want to work out every day will continue to grow. Many people find it difficult to maintain their physical activity, so they need the help of a specific trainer to get them off the couch and create personalized exercise routines, tailored to them! And that is none other than the personal trainer.

Community Manager

Responsible for engaging with the customers and communities around a company, gathering opinions in order to improve the business and the company’s position towards these people. Some companies already have people in this position, which will certainly expand in the coming years. This is an essential role within organizations, as they are the ones who build the culture around the company, creating followers of the brand in question.

Environmental Engineer

The environment is undergoing drastic changes and this profession will be an indispensable part of the jobs of the future. The main responsibility of the environmental engineer is to work with technology and the environment. The need to create new environmental management systems and solutions to help the planet is undeniable.

Information Security

Is the person responsible for ensuring that all of a particular company’s digital information is not tampered with or compromised. As technology has grown, so has malicious intent online. Unfortunately, some people are intent on stealing data from people and companies. Information security professionals not only ensure that data is protected but also help create new solutions.

Clearly, with the rapid technological progress, new jobs will be created that we have not yet thought could exist. For now, however, the must-have jobs of the future are here, and… sky is the limit!

WiPJobs Recruitment

Writer Giannis Piotopoulos @WiPjobs Recruitment

Creating a positive work environment can have a significant impact on your colleagues’ experience and your organizational goals.

In many cases, communication, turnover, productivity, and profitability problems can be solved simply by implementing strategies to enhance employee happiness. Employees who love their jobs and look forward to coming to work are more likely to do their part to help your company succeed. Below, we’ll highlight the power of positivity at work and discuss tips for developing this type of environment in your company or organization.

Good Communication

Good communication between colleagues is very important for their working relationship. Your colleagues need to understand what you want them to accomplish and achieve, but at the same time, you need to have an idea of what they expect from you. There needs to be a balance in communication between you.

The key to good communication at work is to be clear and straightforward. If there are issues don’t avoid them and pretend they don’t exist. Raise the issue immediately and make it clear why it exists. Especially if you have bad news, it’s much better to be straightforward and direct.

Hear Everyone’s Ideas

 Each of your colleagues is in this job for a reason. Encourage them to speak their minds. Even if that idea needs work or isn’t entirely feasible. This will show them that every person on the team matters and any contribution they make is important.

Arrange specific times during the day when the office door is open and allow them to list their ideas. Encourage team members, especially the quieter ones, by asking them directly for their input, which will help them understand and establish that their opinion matters. Doing so also increases the team’s creative spirit, looking for better and better ideas to improve the work.

Recognize Each Member’s Work.

It is a very good idea to reward an employee who does a good job. Acknowledging the other person’s work automatically helps them to continue to do it well. It also shows that someone’s effort is generally recognized and helps everyone head in that direction Meeting time is a good time to recognize the work of your colleagues. You can take two minutes out of the meeting and talk to them about their good performance.

Have Fun.

You spent at least eight hours a day together. Maintaining a professional tone is important, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. A happy employee will perform much better than an unhappy or bored one. There are many ways to be both professional and have fun at the same time. For example, you can decorate the place where you all work together, and in this way, you can bring out everyone’s personality. Finally, some team activities between colleagues are also very good, both inside and outside work, which helps the relations between you and the mood of everyone.

Lead The Way.

Be the one who sets the tone and leads the way for your colleagues. If you are grumpy, grumpy, suspicious and negative, everyone else will react the same way. If you stay positive, your work environment will respond to that. A smile is contagious, but so is misery.

Be easygoing and encouraging to others. Listen to them and keep constant communication. Once you create a positive work environment once, it will be easier to maintain it.

WiPJobs Recruitment

Writer Giannis Piotopoulos @WiPjobs Recruitment

Finding the job that suits you is a complex task. It is a process that starts early and can go on for many years. In order to succeed and advance in your career, you need to love and be passionate about what you do. In this way, you will seek continuous self-improvement in it. Otherwise, there will be neither high expectations nor motivation to grow.

 Search on Social Media

Social media has taken over our lives. We spend most of our day on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. There you can find people and groups that are involved in what you want to be involved in. Talk to them, ask all the questions you wish to, and learn as much as you can about the subject you are interested in.

Contact Your Network of People

If you’ve ever wondered how I would know about a career if I didn’t try it, the answer is that you can! All you have to do is find the right people and start a conversation. That person might be a professor, a mentor or someone in your inner circle. Once you are in this process you can learn information about different topics, such as advantages or disadvantages, the daily routine of this job and other information that you cannot find on the internet. This way you will be able to have an even more complete picture of the right career for you.

Don’t be Afraid to Try

If you think that leaving a career in the middle to pursue something else is a failure, then you are wrong. Remember that your career is one of the most important decisions in your life and it doesn’t always come “all at once”. A huge percentage of people change direction in their careers, regardless of age or rank, by choosing what they really like. In fact, it’s a healthy process. You shouldn’t feel that a career is a one-way street. There is always an opportunity to seize and do something you are passionate about. So don’t be afraid to try different things and don’t rule out opportunities without evaluating them first. Luck is often on your side, as long as you keep your eyes open!.

Be Specific on Your CV

When writing your CV, you need to be specific in order to catch the employer’s interest. However, to be specific, you really need to know what you are looking for.  Think about your hard and soft skills, your personality, and your motivations that help you thrive in your professional life.

Company Profile and Culture

For a job to fit you, the organization’s values should also align with your beliefs. The company’s website usually provides detailed information about its mission and key values. During the interview, ask about whether you’re expected to work on your own or in a team, and think about which answer you like best. You could also read the company’s corporate social responsibility pages, or, if you don’t find them, ask in the interview what the company does to integrate itself into the local community.

Identify Your Must-Haves

Another way to narrow your job search to jobs that are right for you is to identify your non-negotiables and areas where you may be more flexible. Each individual has their own distinct list.

Choosing a career is definitely not an easy thing. Sometimes it “comes to you” early on and other times it requires intense searching. Don’t get discouraged and don’t stop. Not all people have the same opportunities. This means that you need to focus on yourself and that you can take advantage of or create any opportunity to get where you really want to be. In any case, the Wipjobs team is here to help you find your next career move.

WiPJobs Recruitment

A job interview is not just for the employer to evaluate the candidate in front of him/her. It is also done so that the candidate can evaluate the employer, and try to see if they can work with the employer in the near future. And of course, it is a first opportunity for the candidate to try to “scan” the working conditions in a workplace. It is important to avoid bad employers and an uncomfortable working environment. Everyday misery can stifle the professional ambitions of even the most optimistic professional. And of course, it can wear away at your health.

But how can you understand a bad working environment from the beginning? We give you some signs to recognize a bad working environment from the first job interview 😊

They don’t give you space to ask questions or show any interest in your background or career goals!

It is very important in an interview recruiter to show interest in learning more about you, to see if you are a good fit for the position, and to have a comfortable atmosphere during the conversation. Also, it is crucial that the company give you space to ask your questions to see if the role and the company are a good fit for what you are looking for. If you are not given any time at the end to ask questions or to be asked if you have any questions about the specific job is a reason not to proceed with this company to the next stage of the assessment as there is no room to find out more about the position, so you know if you are really interested.

You are asked personal questions, which are not related to the position!

Apart from the fact that it is illegal to ask personal questions during the candidate assessment process, such questions are not about your job performance or skills. So if you are asked questions such as whether you have plans to start a family, whether you live alone or with whom you live, or what your family members do for a living, etc., you are not obliged to answer. You can politely say “; I don’t think this question is relevant to the position we are discussing and I would prefer not to answer”; However, you are given an important clue to assess whether the company culture is a good fit for you.

The workers look quite stressed and distressed!

This is a fact that you can understand even more if you make a live interview with the company. The way you are welcomed by the front office manager, the mood of the person you will be interviewing, and in general the expressions and the way the other employees of the company move around the place can tell you a lot about the atmosphere there. If most people seem stressed, sullen, or scared, you can tell that no matter if they mention an excellent working atmosphere during the interview, the working environment there is probably not good.

Lack of diversity!

One of the things that can easily tip you off is entering a room or office where the majority will be middle-aged men. It is important to be in and work in a space that can and wants to include everyone.

The person in charge of the interview was late for your appointment!

Just as you would never be late for a business meeting, you should make the same demand of your future employer. Yet, tardiness can reveal a lot about the way a company operates or the philosophy of your future manager, beyond the fact that he has a bad relationship with time or simply, for him, time is something relevant. For example, he may have a requirement to stay in the office for more hours than your contract stipulates or he may forget himself during meetings and cause the whole team to be late. And you in no way want to interact on a daily basis and on a professional level with a person who doesn’t value and appreciate your time.

The interview process is lengthy and never-ending!

Several companies have created an interview plan that includes several phases so that managers can be sure of the final selection of the candidate. Some of these companies force candidates to go through two or three interviews before they make a decision. However, this is not a good enough excuse to tie up your time, fill you with anxiety and hope, just to tell you that you need to have another meeting with a senior executive.

The same applies, of course, to the times when they ask you to pass a test, wanting to verify that you have the necessary skills for the position they are seeking. Sure, it makes sense for them to test you, but if the tests you, but the test you will have to pass is many and the candidates even more numerous, then surely it’s worth your time?

📌 In conclusion, Keep your eyes open for red flags like these and you’ll be on your way to finding your next dream job in no time!

WiPJobs Recruitment

Giannis Piotopoulos @WiPjobs Recruitment

Now that you have your degree, you can only be happy as you have achieved another goal. The next step is to look for your first job. This step has a lot to deal with since you don’t know where to start. This blog is here to help and guide you in this endeavor. So here are some tips on how to find your first job.

Don’t panic if you don’t know your dream job yet.

There are people who know from an early age what they want to be in life. But that doesn’t mean that if you don’t know you should panic. Start with something you are interested in and along the way, you will find out what you really want to do. Besides, your first job doesn’t mean it will be your permanent job, it’s a start to find out what you like and doesn’t like 🙂

Create or renew your LinkedIn profile

Creating a LinkedIn profile or updating an existing one is a great step. In case you don’t know what to include in your online CV, you can start by adding some of your coursework, assignments, seminars, an award if you have received one, volunteer activities, your internship, and Erasmus experience if you have done one. In addition, it would be good to highlight some skills you have and add in the introductory part, a description of the subject you would like to work on in the future. Finally, don’t wait until you graduate to create your LinkedIn profile, the earlier you start the better, as you will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the platform and grow your list of contacts.

Do an internship

If you have the opportunity during your studies, take the chance to apply for an internship. Earnings may not be ideal at first, but you will gain work experience and develop your skills. Many companies extend the contract after the internship is over, so this can be a good start. In case you have found companies you are really interested in, but they don’t seem to offer internships at the moment, feel free to send your CV. In the cover letter, you can let them know that you are interested in an internship at that company.

Expand your network of contacts

Networking is very important when looking for a job. Let your friends, acquaintances, and family know that you are looking for a job and you never know where a valuable opportunity may arise. At the same time, you can search for professional groups on social media that are related to your field. Your active participation in such groups can open new doors for you, and many companies post job advertisements in them even before they are made known to the general public. Another good solution is to participate in conferences that have something to do with the jobs you are targeting so that you can meet professionals in the field. Sometimes such events include networking events, so take advantage of them.

Take part in volunteer actions

Volunteering can be counted positively, regardless of its relevance to your subject. Besides, participation in volunteer activities reveals a person with high empathy and sensitivity for the community. These traits are valuable and always leave a positive impression on employers and recruiters. By volunteering, you will have the opportunity to meet people with similar interests and sensitivities and broaden your circle. This can also lead to a career opportunity.

Preparing for the Job Hunt

It is easy to get discouraged when rejections come back to you, but stay focused on your worth and the right position will present itself. Apply to as many things as you can, just because you won’t get[a response] from everyone; they receive such a high volume in terms of resumes from various students.

🔍 All in all, now that you have arrived here, you know how to get your first job. Every beginning is difficult but don’t let the difficulties discourage you. Take the right steps and good luck! 💫