Postcode Pensions – whatever next ?

Norwich Union are planning to break up postcodes into 9 groups in a similar way to how car insurance premiums are affected by the area in which you live. This could potentially mean that by moving to the next street at a strategic point in your life, you could either decrease or increase your pension entitlement.

I personally cannot see this as being a fair way off assessing life expectancy.

To read the full article log on to the following link.

  www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1026152/Pensions-turning-postcode-lottery-September.html

Are you about to start drawing your pension and how do you feel about this system?

Is your CV kosher?

Are ‘creative’ CV’s acceptable?

We are currently recruiting for various positions within our company, and receiving (or not) CV’s in various formats - CV plus typed or hand-written covering letter, e-mailed CV and sometimes, none at all.

Brought up in an age where the CV was supposed to be no more than two A4 pages long, and expressly sent in to appeal to the recuiter, listening to the furore about Lee McQueen’s little white lie on his CV has raised several questions.

Let us assume that Lee McQueen drew up his own CV and chose not to use a professional CV writer (of which there are many who will do this for a fee).  So he ‘embellished’ it a little - so what.  What we have done in the past is not always a true reflection of what we will become in the future and Lee managed all the practical tasks he was set during the latest ‘Apprentice’ series.  Similarly, recruitment agencies often use a standard template, and for some employers this might work, but not for me.

Have I ever lied on a CV - no.  Have I lied at an interview - yes.  On one occasion I was asked whether I knew how to work the ‘new’ fax machine (which no longer used the old ticker tape system) and I said yes and felt guilty for days afterwards.  I got the job and when told to send a fax, stated that the machine was slightly different to the one I had previously used and could they quickly run over the technicalities.  A lot depends on a candidate’s attitude to work. 

Have CV’s had their day? 

Should I be reading entries on Facebook instead to get a real insight into the poeple who are coming to me for jobs - no thanks, I prefer the old-fashioned way!

1) When applying to my company, should you send in a CV? - Yes, unless you can convince me over the phone that you’re the best thing since sliced bread (and I’ll still want your CV on file)

2) Will I scrutinise every last detail of your CV to make sure it’s 100% accurate? - No, but be sure I’ll find out whether you can self-manage, self-motivate, and self-task very quickly during your trial period.

3) Will I mind that you can’t really spell, construct sentences, present well?  Depends on your job role.

Have you ever lied to get into an interview and what were the consequences? Comment now.

PS. If you’re thinking of sending in your CV - I prefer a hand-written covering letter - call me old-fashioned.

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15,000 Estate Agents to be made redundant

Are you a DIY Estate Agent?

Estate Agents have taken a lot of flak over the years, but beware, in a difficult market, good Estate Agents will be worth their weight in gold!

As homebuyers try and reduce costs in a difficult market, many turn to DIY home-selling. 

Simply put a ‘For Sale’ board up outside your home and ‘hey presto’, wait for the punters to call at the door (whilst you’re slamming a ready-meal into the microwave/bathing the kids etc).  You might also chose to use a private-sale website, which costs very little and will save you several thousand pounds in the process if you go on to make a sale.  Have you looked at Propertybroker.com and Houseweb.com?

DIY selling involves showing prospective purchasers around the property yourselves, and doing all the donkey work of chasing solicitors to get the sale through.  Be prepared for this to be stressful, particularly if you’re already working full-time. 

When buyers are plentiful (in good times) estate agents will have buyers on tap and because of a demand for properties, prices will be pushed up.  When times are bad, their negotiation skills may be needed to persuade a long chain of purchasers to agree to lower prices to make the sale go through, come what may. 

So whilst you may find it cheaper to DIY Home Sell, when the going gets tough, contact your local professional Estate Agent.

We’d like to hear if you’ve tried a DIY sale, and then had to admit defeat and go through your Local Estate Agent.