If you're applying for any job, it should be no surprise that it's vitally important to have as many of the listed required skills as possible.

In this post, I would like to elaborate a little on that fundamental idea.  The post was inspired by this article from www.forbes.com:  

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/04/24/15-must-have-skills-for-any-successful-cio-candidate/

Of course, as you would expect from Forbes, the content is useful in and of itself. But for the purpose of this article, take a closer look at the list of skills:

1. The ability to see the big picture
2. Soft skills
3. The ability to communicate with finesse

Considering this is a CIO (Chief Information Officer) role, do you see anything about Technology yet? 

The list continues...

4. Strategic thinking for data use
5. The ability to connect skills to business needs
6. Experience in a commercial market
7. Adaptability
8. Emotional intelligence
9. Strategic planning...

This is the new ad created to introduce the Obvious Candidate Career Coaching services to new my clients.

The big idea is that, very often, job seekers and promotion hunters are struggling, trying different things. It can be frustrating and very slow. And worse, brilliant opportunities to progress careers can be wasted for talented people because they are not introducing themselves and their skills effectively through job applications or interview performances.

So, rather than trying to go it alone, I'm here as their guide. But better still, I'm a guide with a plan, based on over 17 years' experience helping people achieve the positive career change they want.  For some it's a direction change. For others it's about earning more money. For others still it can be about moving on from a negative experience or a horrible boss. Whatever the reason, I have a plan for them to follow.

My clients are always the hero in the story. I'm in the background. I have the know-how and the...

If you’re conducting research to investigate appropriate salary expectations or support your salary negotiation or trying to understand the value of your skills if you move to another country, this article from Forbes.com may be a helpful starting point.

It’s quite amazing to see the huge gulf in salary expectations and actual salaries paid for doing very similar jobs in different countries.

Take a look at the article here: Forbes Salary Expectations Article

But what can you do about it?

• The first step is always research.

Checklists like the one above and conduct a detailed investigation into what is the correct market rate for this kind of job in your country and city.  Some of the famous salary surveys from sites like www.glassdoor.com (check Glassdoor in your country) and www.linkedin.com will be a good starting point.

• Prepare your response.

One of the most important steps is never to accept the job at the salary first...

Is Your Child Facing University Interviews?

It’s that time of year when nervous school leavers are being ferried around the country for university admissions interviews by even more nervous parents.

And of course it’s double trouble: Firstly, as a parent, it is difficult to remember what this moment feels like and it may have been so long since you were interviewed that you probably don’t feel well placed to advise on what the questions may be asked, never mind what the best answers might be. Secondly, we know that taking expert advice from parents isn’t always the 17-18-year-olds’ preferred learning dynamic.

So what can you do if you know your young adult would benefit from some guidance and you don’t feel best placed to offer it?

Increasingly, parents are investing in interview coaching and performance coaching to prepare them to ace their admissions interviews. And it’s hardly surprising. There’s a lot at stake. Whether you’ve...

Everyone is busy these days. Effective communication is more important than ever – and nowhere more so than in your CV or resume. If you’re trying to catch the attention of a Hiring Manager, Recruiter or Business Owner, applying these 3 tips could dramatically accelerate your job search success.

1)   Headline Yourself With A “Big Idea”

One thing is for sure in job search, blending in is like a kiss of death. You need to stand out. And stand out for the right and relevant reasons. Introduce yourself with a “Big Idea”, something specific, that has meaning and instant appeal to your target audience. Maybe you’re a ‘CIMA-qualified Management Accountant specialising in the Adventure Travel Sector’. Maybe you’re a ‘Multi-Award-winning Creative Director’. Whatever you are, make sure you’re introducing yourself with fact + dazzle, so you stand far-out from the crowd.

2)   Elevator...

Who wouldn’t like to add an extra £1,000 a month to their take home pay?

Sometimes it feels like an extra £1,000 would make all the difference. But what does it really take to add £12K into your pocket?

Well for most salaried workers that would take a lot of years of 2-5% pay rises! The secret here is to take a long term view and to up-skill yourself.

Take a look up the pay ladder to someone who is earning more than you. The heartening thing is that in any industry, the people who are heading the way today were once not even in the industry. They’ve learned what it takes and progressed through the steps. And you can too.

One senior HR Director has recently said that due to the ageing workforce and the lack of up-coming technical talent she fears that the “Talented Few” will be able to dictate the their terms of employment because they are so scarce yet so essential. The fact is that that day is already here....