Going for a job interview can be daunting at the best of times, but at the moment it can be even harder. Before lockdown, many companies were still doing face to face interviews, just socially distanced, but during periods of stricter lockdowns, many have reverted back to virtual interviews. This is not idea for employers as it can be hard to get a true perspective of a person across on a video call.

If you are looking for work then you should grab any opportunity with both hands, because at present jobs are in high demand so you may not get as many offers as you may do during normal circumstances.

When preparing for a video interview it is important to consider what you wear and also what is in your background. This is often something that people neglect to do and it can have a big impression. Try to avoid doing video call interviews from your bedroom as it can look unprofessional. Make sure that the room is tidy (or at least the bit that can be seen) and wear clothes that you would if you were attending an interview in person. Be prepared and have any notes etc that you need to hand and try and test your camera and microphone before the call starts.

This time of the year is often a very joyous one for many people but this year has been quite a challenge and there are people who have lost their jobs or struggling to get back on little money due to the Covid pandemic. This may make Christmas an extremely hard time as it is a time when we often have to spend extra money buying presents for children or friends and family. If you are struggling to find work, then you may be able to find luck asking in supermarkets or retailers that are often busy around this period. Aldo delivery drivers are in high demand at the moment but many ask that you have your own transport.

If you are worried about money and cannot seem to find a job, then it is a good idea to approach a job agency. They may be able to offer you temporary work which will give you the opportunity to get a couple of weeks wages under your belt before the big day. Some agencies will ask you to work a week in hand so you not get paid initially but then have a steady income throughout Christmas and new year.

For many people retiring from a career possibly that you have spent many years in, can leave you with mixed emotions. Days spent rushing out to work in the morning are certainly not missed but the companionship of colleagues and the structure to your day to day life is often something that new retirees comment on and miss but are there jobs out there for people who don’t want or need to work as much as a younger person?

Finding a job that is suitable for someone who is retired can be difficult as some employers do not offer part time roles and it may be that you do not want to spend every day at work at this stage in your life. One option is to seek out a job in retail as part time work is generally available in this sector. Some more forward-thinking companies encourage older people to apply for roles as they have seen the benefits of a more mature approach to working.

Jobs in call centres are another possibility for retirees as most of the work will be carried out seated while some companies allow employees to work from home.

If it is not necessary for you to earn any money you may be able to volunteer at a charity shop or community café in your local area as they are always looking for help and support.

When you are applying for a job one of the first requirements will be to fill in an application form and possibly submit a CV so it is important that your CV is up to date and relevant to the post you are applying for.

Redoing a CV need not take an age if it is done regularly and certainly after any new training is undertaken or any new experience is gained. Remember to tailor the CV to the role you are applying for it may even be worth having slightly different copies depending on the jobs you are applying for. It is however always important to be truthful in a CV as employers could check your qualifications and training record with previous employers.

Another way to boost your chances of getting a job is to send your current CV to potential employers with a covering letter stating that you would be interested to hear of any vacancies in their company. This is a good way to get yourself known to business owners and may result in them keeping your details on file. Sending a CV to recruitment firms is another effective way to promote yourself and increase the likelihood of getting employment.