It’s important to remember that a job interview is a two-way conversation; you need to extract information from your potential employer as much as they need to learn about you. While you’re practising your answers to their questions, it’s important to have a few of your own in mind. Here are the eight questions you […]

The majority (86%) of UK chief financial officers (CFOs) are driven to reach the top role of chief executive officer (CEO) in their current organisation, reveals new research from leading recruitment agency Robert Half UK. The toughest competition for the hot seat comes from marketing directors, with 23% of CFOs perceiving them as the greatest […]

Many people find themselves in a job they don’t enjoy, don’t find challenging, or simply don’t find rewarding. In fact, a recent Gallup poll revealed that only 32.7% of people actually felt engaged at work. So what’s stopping so many people from taking a bold leap into the unknown and finding the perfect career they’ll […]

An elevator pitch is a quick introduction that provides others with information about who you are, what you do and what you have to offer. Its name refers to the amount of time you have to make a good first impression during a lift ride from reception to the manager’s office. Getting it right is […]

If you’ve followed our previous advice on making a career move, hopefully you’ve had plenty of responses from potential employers. But sometimes companies take a little longer to get back to you after you’ve applied. If you think a reasonable amount of time has passed, here are some tips for following up a job application […]

Inspiration comes in many forms, and it’s an essential part of coming up with new ideas for business. As a PA who’s put in charge of big company projects, it can be hard to find inspiration. Here are a few things you can do in and out of the office to boost your creativity. Brainstorm […]

If you’re unhappy in your current role for whatever reason and you’ve tried everything to fix the situation, perhaps it’s time to move on. To help you pick your dream job, the team at Webrecruit has put together four tips to find a job you love. 1 Find what motivates you What makes you want […]

Expert Microsoft Productivity Trainer to Bill Gates’ team Vickie Sokol Evans has launched a global ‘Back-to-School’ campaign, offering free training sessions from 6-9 September to help employees leave the office on time – increasing their productivity, improving their results, and helping to cultivate a healthy work culture, while at the same time increasing profits. Empowering […]

A recent study suggests that 93% of employers would opt to take on somebody who has completed a three-year apprenticeship over somebody who has spent three years studying. The research, carried out by Positive Outcomes, a national provider of work-based training and apprenticeships, questioned 100 UK employers about their attitudes towards apprenticeships in the run […]

Hotly anticipated unemployment figures are due out on Wednesday and will serve as an indication of business sentiment in the current market conditions. A survey from the CIPD shows a softening in hiring intentions, and this follows the Bank of England’s forecast that unemployment will rise in the coming years. In these uncertain conditions, the […]

As Vince Lombardi famously stated, “Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.” PAs rarely receive praise or feedback, so how do we know we’re doing a good job and keep ourselves motivated? asks Abigail Jones Does your boss regularly thank you for your hard work? Have you recently been offered a pay rise or […]

Our guest blogger Nick Fewings, Creator of the Team DyNamics© model and expert trainer – who spoke at our June PA Life Training Day – returns with the second part of his piece on the future of the PA. In my last article, Tomorrow’s assistant – The Changemaker, I shared my thoughts on changes within businesses that I […]

PA Life Editor Amelia Walker hosted an informative panel discussion at the last PA Life Training Day to find out how PAs can prepare to take the next step in their career. Participants gave some excellent tips and talked about their experience to help attendees in their job search. The panel included both established PAs […]

As a PA, your job requires you to keep track of your own time while helping your executive be more effective. It’s a juggling act that all assistants have to learn to control during their career. Here are six handy hints to help you manage your boss. 1 Provide solutions, not problems Your boss has […]

You’ve followed all our advice on writing a stellar CV and you’ve landed an interview. Now what? Interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience, even for the most confident person. Follow these top tips to keep your cool and impress your potential employer. Do your research The most important step you can take when preparing for […]

Leading event organisers gathered at Robinson College in Cambridge to share event planning best practice at the second clic+ Club seminar on 7 July. Held at the college’s impressive new Crausaz Wordsworth Building, the event was part of a wider series that aims to provide a knowledge-sharing environment for event organisers across the country. Delegates were […]

We are increasingly fearful of public speaking because it means risking our group membership, according to cognitive psychologist and business neuroscientist Dr Lynda Shaw. It is estimated that somewhere between 40-75% of us are afraid of public speaking, supported by the famous survey by RH Bruskin Associates*, which showed that 41% of respondents were afraid […]

It’s pretty much a given these days that the job market is flooded with highly skilled candidates. When you have so many people with the same skills and experience competing for the same job, it’s hard to stand out from the crowd; this is where demonstration of certain qualities is key. Recruitment site Glassdoor has […]